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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Avengers stuntman and his three children die in horror car crash in Georgia

A Hollywood stuntman and three of his children, aged between eight weeks and 13 years, have died following a horror car crash in Georgia.

Taraja Ramsess, known for his work in Avengers and Black Panther, was driving his children on Halloween “after a night of trick-or-treating” when the tragedy happened.

His Ford truck reportedly collided with a stationary tractor-trailer on the Interstate 20 in Dakalb County, Atlanta.

Mr Ramsess and his two daughters – newborn Fugibo and 13-year-old Sundari, known as Sunny – died at the scene.

His 10-year-old son Kisasi was rushed to intensive care, but died several days later, on Sunday, according to MailOnline.

Two other children – three-year-old Shazi and 15-year-old Kali – were also taken to hospital. Their conditions were said to be stable.

Mr Ramsess' mother, Akili Ramsess, described her son in a moving Instagram post as a “talented” man who “loved his children more than all”.

Mr Ramsess was known for his stunt work in hit films including Marvel's Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity War, along with 2018 film Black Panther. He also worked on the set of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

“All who knew and met him know how special Taraja was,” wrote Ms Ramsess. “He had a deep capacity for love and loved his children more than all.

“He loved his martial arts, motorcycles and all things related to filmmaking. He a very droll yet wicked sense of humour and yet could be as cornball corny as can be.

“Sundari, Sunny as she was called, also reflected that special light. Funny and loved to dance.

“Oh God! I can't believe they're gone! We are grieving and remain prayerful for my grandchildren's recovery. Thank you to so many who have already reached out with kind words and prayers."

A Gofundme page to help support Mr Ramsess' grieving partner and children had raised more than $31,000 (£25,000) by Monday morning.

It was set up by Andrea Lawson, the sister of Mr Ramsess' partner, who described the crash as “the most unimaginable tragedy a family can experience”.

“On Halloween night my dear sister Lisa Wilson lost her six-week-old baby Fujibo, her partner Taraja Ramsess, and her 13-year-old step-daughter Sundari in a horrific car accident after a night of trick-or-treating," wrote Ms Lawson.

“Lisa's two daughters Lulah (age 7) and Esme (age 5) were thankfully not involved in the accident but lost their father, big sister, and baby sister in one night."

She said the money was being raised to help the family deal with the "unfathomable losses".

“Taraja was the sole provider for this large blended family and their financial needs go way beyond funeral expenses," she wrote.

“The surviving children will need medical care, counseling, school expenses paid, food, clothing, and limitless extra care to ensure that their lives are not completely uprooted by this trauma and loss.

“Both Taraja and Lisa are in an industry that has been on strike for the better part of this year. In addition, Lisa is still newly post-partum and is in no physical or mental state to go back to work having just lost her baby and the father of her children."

Donors described the tragedy as “heartbreaking”.

“There are no words,” wrote one contributor. “My heart goes out to all of you.”

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