Speed Racer actor Christian Oliver and his two young children die after plane nose dived and crashed

Hollywood actor Christian Oliver and his two children have died in a plane crash off a Caribbean island.

News of Oliver's death was confirmed by The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), which released a statement on Facebook to say he was one of four passengers on board the small, one-engine aircraft.

The 51-year-old actor had earned dozens of credits throughout his career, with some of his most notable works including Speed Racer and, more recently, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Facebook/RSVG Police Force

Oliver was originally from Frankfurt, Germany, but had moved to the US as he continued his career.

The plane crash took place west of Petit Nevis on Thursday (4 January) after taking off from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm on a flight bound for St. Lucia.

The flight started to go wrong just moments after taking off, police said, as it experienced 'difficulties' and 'plummeted into the ocean'. Police have not confirmed exactly what caused the crash.

Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm quickly rushed to the scene in their boats, while the SVG Coast Guard made its way to the crash site to lead in the rescue efforts.

Police confirmed Oliver, whose real name is Christian Klepser, had been on the plane with his two daughters, Madita Klepser and Annik Klepser, who were 10 and 12 years old.

Pilot Robert Sachs, of Bequia, owned and was operating the plane at the time of the crash.

In their statement, police confirmed all four bodies were recovered from the aircraft and ocean by fishermen, divers and Coast Guard personnel. The victims of the crash were later pronounced dead by a medical practitioner.

Instagram/@christianoliverofficial

The bodies of the two adults and two children have been taken to Kingstown Mortuary, where post-mortem examinations are set to be carried out to determine the cause of death.

"The RSVGPF expresses condolences to all who are negatively affected by this tragic incident," the police department said in its statement.

It added that the investigation into the crash is still ongoing, and that more information will be released as it comes to light.

Oliver's death comes just days after he shared a New Year post on Instagram showing a picture of a sunset on a beach.

Alongside the image, a caption read: "Greetings from somewhere in paradise! To community and love …2024 her [sic] we come !"

Friends and fans of the actor have expressed their condolences to Oliver's family in the wake of his death and the death of his two children, with many describing the news as a 'tragedy'.