Celebrity actor Christian Oliver and his two daughters were killed in a plane crash off Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, according to local authorities who confirmed the accident near a small private island in the eastern Caribbean.
Police described the incident as having occurred on Thursday, just west of Petit Nevis Island close to Bequia, while the aircraft was en route to Saint Petersburg. The passengers were said to be heading toward a destination near Saint Lucia when the tragedy unfolded.
The victims were identified as Madita Klepser, 10, and Annik Klepser, 12. It was reported that the pilot, Robert Sachs, also died in the crash.
Officials stated that a definitive cause for the crash had not yet been determined pending investigations by authorities.
Local fishermen and divers who were near the scene rushed to assist, as did the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard, which was moving toward the area to coordinate rescue efforts.
Police praised the selfless and brave actions of the fishermen and divers who helped at the scene.
The 51-year-old German-born actor had a long career in film and television, with appearances in projects such as the action film Speed Racer released in 2008 and the World War II drama The Good German directed by Steven Soderbergh, featuring stars including George Clooney and Cate Blanchett.
Oliver was part of the cast in the second season of the 1990s television series Saved by the Bell: The New Class, portraying a Swiss exchange student named Brian Keller.