Bequia crash victim identified as US actor Christian Oliver

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, (CMC): Christian Klepser, 51, who, along with his two daughters, died in a plane crash in Bequia on Thursday, has been identified as the famous Hollywood actor who uses the stage name Christian Oliver.

The US-born Klepser, along with his daughters, Madita, 10, and Annik, 12, and the pilot Robert Sachs, died in the crash when the plane nose dived into the waters off the Bequia coast.

Klepser’s IMDb profile states he was born in Germany and has successfully worked in the entertainment industry for the past 15 years.

“He has worked with the likes of Steven Soderbergh in The Good German opposite Cate Blanchett and George Clooney, Brian Singer and Tom Cruise in Valkyrie and the Wachowski Brothers in Speed Racer, just to name a few,” the profile said.

“He has also starred in Europe’s Number One action series Alarm for Cobra 11 (RTL) for two years and had numerous other TV appearances in the US and his native Germany.”

During his career, Klepser appeared in major movies such as Speed Racer and Valkyrie and recently had a part in the latest instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise, Mail Online reported.

His other roles included “Brian Keller” in Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1994–1995).

In a statement, local police said that the single-engine aircraft, registration number N4023B, owned and piloted by Sachs, of Bequia, crashed into the sea, one nautical mile west of Petit Nevis, after midday on Thursday.

“The aircraft went airborne from the J. F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm about 12:11 p.m. for St. Lucia as its final destination. Moments after taking off, the aircraft experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean,” the police said.

“Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm went to the scene of the incident in their boats to render assistance. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard was informed and quickly travelled to Paget Farm, Bequia to lead in the rescue efforts.”

Police said the four bodies were transported to St. Vincent onboard the Coast Guard vessel and were taken to the Kingstown Mortuary where post-mortem examinations are expected to be performed on them.

“The RSVGPF expresses condolences to all who are negatively affected by this tragic incident. The RSVGPF will update the public as more information is gathered. Investigation into the matter continues,” the police statement said.