Paul Walker fans hold memorial and car rally

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25298783

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Thousands of friends, fans and car enthusiasts paid tribute to Fast & Furious star Paul Walker at a special car rally and public memorial service in Los Angeles.

High performance car fans revved their engines in his honour at the event in Santa Clarita on Sunday.

The actor's Fast & Furious co-star Rick Yune was among those who attended.

Walker and his friend Roger Rodas both died when Rodas' Porsche crashed and burst into flames last Saturday.

"We mourn his loss, but maybe we could just remember how great a guy this guy was and celebrate his life," Yune said at the event, which was organised through social media.

It had been due to start at midday, but people arrived hours early to leave flowers, candles, stuffed animals and other tributes. A crowd of around 5,000 people had gathered by the afternoon.

Police said the event was mostly peaceful, although a man was arrested for carrying a partially hidden and loaded gun and there were several tickets issued for illegal parking.

The memorial concluded with a cruise through the area, 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Walker and Rodas, who bonded over a passion for fast cars, were driving in Rodas' Porsche following an event for Walker's charity, Reach Out WorldWide.

The car crashed into a pole and tree and burst into flames. Investigators believe speed was a factor.

Coroner's officials revealed Walker died from a combination of injuries suffered in the impact and burns from the resulting fire, while Rodas died from "multiple traumatic injuries".

A makeshift memorial has since been set up at the site of the crash where fans have left their tributes.

Local gardener Edi Maya told reporters at Sunday's event he was blessed to have worked for the actor.

"I have to work next to his house twice a week. It is heartbreaking," he said.

Walker, who starred in five of the six Fast & Furious films, was making the seventh movie in the franchise when he died. Universal Pictures has put production on hold.

The actor's family has asked for donations to be made to his charity, which helps provide relief in response to natural disasters around the world, instead of flowers or other gifts.