Avengers stuntman's last hours with his children as £100k raised for family
Stuntman Taraja Ramsess has been remembered for his dedication to his family after he was killed in a terrifying car accident along with three of his children.
The 41-year-old father, who appeared in the Avengers and Black Panther films, died instantly when his pickup truck collided with a tractor-trailer in Georgia on Tuesday night. His three-year-old daughter remains in hospital with severe injuries.
Taraja's newborn baby Fugibo Ramsess, who was just six weeks old, and 13-year-old daughter Sundari Ramsess were killed immediately on impact. His son, 10-year-old Kisasi was put on life support in hospital, but sadly died of his injuries on Sunday.
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The family had been enjoying a night of trick-or-treating to celebrate Halloween before the horrific crash. The accident happened on an exit ramp on Interstate 20 in Dekalb County, Georgia. Taraja was driving a pickup truck with all of his children when it collided with a tractor-trailer, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Jeremy Renner 'helping stranded motorist' before being 'run over by snow plough'According to an investigation, Taraja took an exit ramp where the tractor-trailer was broken down in the left lane, when they collided. Taraja's long-time friend Tony Tucci has remembered him as being "always a family man".
Tony said he's been left devastated by the tragic accident. "When I first heard about it, I broke down. I had to sit down," he told WSB-TV. Tony, an X3 Sports trainer, also described Taraja as an "amazing" person.
He added: "We have a great loss to this world. It makes you reflect and gives you new perspective on everyone you need to call every day. Because you never know when you last words are going to be to someone."
Taraja's cousin Pharaoh Hardee told the publication that while he loved his work, the Avengers star's true passion was his family. "He was just like my brother," Pharaoh said. "I've had close people and loved ones die, so I'm just thinking about the children."
Tributes have been pouring in for Taraja and his children, with GoFundMe pages set up to help his family with funeral costs. One fundraiser has been set up on behalf of his mother, Akili Ramsess, while two others have been set up to help Taraja's partner, Lisa Wilson.
In total, the GoFundMe pages have raised $123,838 (£99,692). The money will go toward housing costs as well to set up a college fund for Lisa's two daughters, seven-year-old Lulah and five-year-old Esme..
Taraja's mother has taken to Instagram to share a tribute to her loved ones. Sharing a picture of herself with her son, she said: "My beautiful, loving, talented son Taraja @chop.saki, along with two of my grand babies, his 13 yo daughter Sundari and his 8-week old newborn daughter Fujibo, were killed the previous night in a horrific traffic accident."
She continued: "All who knew and met him know how special Taraja was. 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 humor & yet could be as cornball corny as can be. Sundari, Sunny as she was called, also reflected that special light. Funny & 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." Taking to Instagram, Taraja's partner Lisa said a Muslim funeral, known as a Janazah, will be taking place in Georgia on Sunday.
Justin Timberlake's surprising romances including link to Spice Girls singerTaraja did stunts for Marvel's Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame. Additionally, his stunt work was featured in Avengers: Infinity War, The Suicide Squad, Atlanta and Creed III. He also often worked as a set dresser on over 43 projects, including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries.