Authorities reported on Friday that the small plane crash into the Caribbean Sea claimed the lives of actor Christian Oliver, his two young daughters, and the pilot.
Oliver, 51, and his daughter Madita were named in a statement by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. Oliver was identified in the statement by his real name, Christian Klesper. Twelve and Ten-year-old Annik were in the tiny aircraft. Robert Sachs, a local resident and owner of the aircraft, was identified as the pilot. Sachs was also an American, according to the U.S. State Department.
In a statement to CBS News, Oliver’s representatives confirmed his passing and said that their “thoughts and prayers are with him, his two daughters, and his family.”
According to the police, sometime after midday, the plane crashed into the water approximately one mile off the coast of Petit Nevis. Authorities said that the plane was headed to St. Lucia, which is roughly 65 miles away, but that it “experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean” shortly after takeoff.
Following the collision, local divers and fishermen arrived at the scene, according to officials. Authorities say that divers located the bodies and gave them to Coast Guard personnel from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who had already arrived on the scene.
A medical professional pronounced all four passengers on the aircraft dead, according to the authorities. The causes of death will be ascertained by post-mortem investigations.
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force stated that the plane crash is still being investigated. “We are currently in the process of gathering information to assist in the investigation,” the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority stated in a statement to CBS News.
According to the State Department, the victims’ families are receiving “all appropriate consular assistance.”
Oliver, who is best known for the 2008 movie “Speed Racer,” and who was born in Germany, wrote on New Year’s Day that he and his family were “somewhere in paradise.”
He also appeared in the films “The Good German” and “Valkyrie,” according to his website.
Oliver has two upcoming film appearances listed on his iMDB page. One, “London Blue,” does not yet have a release date; it is currently in post-production. “Forever Hold Your Peace,” the other movie, is currently being made. The director of the movie, Nick Lyon, announced that filming had just wrapped up on Instagram.
Lyon wrote, “We talked about producing a film together for years and finally did it.” This was the pair’s fifth collaborative effort. “I appreciate you being such a wonderful friend, actor, and coworker.”
