Paul's rep just released a statement
about his death, and says "He was a passenger in a
friend's car, in which both lost their lives." Witnesses
on the scene originally said they thought the car was
Paul's ... but have since confirmed it was not.The rep
added that Paul was "attending a charity event for
his organization Reach Out Worldwide." Paul Walker
-- best known for his role in "The Fast and the
Furious" movies -- died Saturday afternoon after a
single-car accident and explosion in Southern
California ... TMZ has learned.The accident happened
in Santa Clarita -- north of Los Angeles -- and Paul
was the passenger in the two-seater Porsche Carrera
GT when the driver somehow lost control and
slammed into a post or a tree ... and the car burst
into flames.Several of our sources -- some of whom
were at the scene of the accident -- tell us a friend of
Paul's was driving and was also killed in the fiery
wreck.At this point, it's unclear what caused the
accident, but cops have said it appears speed played
a major factor.Paul was 40 years old. He leaves
behind a 15-year-old daughter named
Meadow.Sources close to Paul tell us he was in Santa
Clarita for a car show to support the Philippines
typhoon relief effort -- and several of his friends were
at the event ... and the accident happened very near
to the event.One of his friends talked to a TMZ
photographer ... describing the scene ... and his
efforts to save Paul from the burning car. Paul took a
pic with a fan at the charity event, and the guy
posted it ... noting how happy Walker was just hours
before the crash. The fan added, "The world lost an
angel in Paul. He dedicated so much of his life to
helping disadvantaged kids and people who are in
need. I'm gonna do whatever I can to keep Paul's
goals for the charity alive."