7:15 PM PT -- 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.