Karl Urban pays tribute to Star Trek co-star Anton Yelchin

Kiwi actor Karl Urban has voiced his pain at learning about the death of his Star Trek co-star, Anton Yelchin.

Urban, who appears alongside Yelchin in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond is devastated by the news. Yelchin passed away in a car accident on Sunday (19.06.16) aged 27.

He wrote: "I can't believe it , I'm f*kn hurting bad!"

I can't believe it , I m fckn hurting bad !

— Karl Urban (@KarlUrban) June 19, 2016

Zachary Quinto has also paid tribute to his "dear friend" following Yelchin's shock death.

The 39-year-old actor has penned a touching tribute to his Star Trek co-star, describing him as "enormously talented and generous of heart".

He wrote on Instagram: "our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief (sic)"

View this post on Instagram

our dear friend. our comrade. our anton. one of the most open and intellectually curious people i have ever had the pleasure to know. so enormously talented and generous of heart. wise beyond his years. and gone before his time. all love and strength to his family at this impossible time of grief.

A post shared by Zachary Quinto (@zacharyquinto) on Jun 19, 2016 at 12:31pm PDT

Star Trek director J.J. Abrams hailed the "supremely talented" star and lamented his untimely death.

He shared on Twitter: "You were brilliant, you were kind, you were funny as hell, and supremely talented.

"And you weren't here nearly long enough. Missing you."

pic.twitter.com/q8VBJBVPK3

— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) June 19, 2016

Justin Lin, who has taken over at the helm of Star Trek Beyond was in "shock" at the news.

He posted: "Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you."

Still in shock. Rest in peace, Anton. Your passion and enthusiasm will live on with everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you.

— Justin Lin (@justinlin) June 19, 2016

Another Star Trek co-star John Cho, who played Mr Sulu, wrote: "I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist - curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins."

I loved Anton Yelchin so much. He was a true artist - curious, beautiful, courageous. He was a great pal and a great son. I'm in ruins.

— John Cho (@JohnTheCho) June 19, 2016

Director Guillermo del Toro, who was set to work with the Russian-born actor on the upcoming Trollhunters series, was also stunned by the tragedy.

He wrote on Twitter: "The sweetest, most humble, delightful, talented guy you'd ever meet. Worked together for about a year. Shocked.

The sweetest, most humble, delightful, talented guy you'd ever meet. Worked together for about a year. Shocked. https://t.co/uyg2NlmhqP

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) June 19, 2016

"Anton was a sweetheart. Absolutely a great creative partner and artist. As far as I am concerned, 2016 cannot end fast enough."

Yelchin's Charlie Bartlett co-stars Kat Dennings and Tyler Hilton have been left distraught by their friend's passing.

Dennings tweeted: "Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can't say anything that conveys what this feels like."

Anton Yelchin was one of my best friends. Can't say anything that conveys what this feels like

— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) June 19, 2016

Hilton added: "I just heard about my sweet, sweet talented friend #AntonYelchin and his horrible accident. I'm in complete shock. He had far more to say...(sic)"

I just heard about my sweet, sweet talented friend #AntonYelchin and his horrible accident. I'm in complete shock. He had far more to say...

— Tyler Hilton (@TylerHilton) June 19, 2016

View this post on Instagram

Please tell me this isn't real. Not Anton. Not the poet, musician, incredible actor, and supremely special guy I knew. I've been shocked into silence all morning.

A post shared by Tyler Hilton (@tylerhilton) on Jun 19, 2016 at 11:46am PDT

Many other stars shared their condolences on social media:

This is unreal. Anton Yelchin is such a talent. Such a huge loss.

— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) June 19, 2016

Devastated to hear about the brilliant Anton Yelchin. He was thoughtful, kind, and gifted. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) June 19, 2016

It is believed Yelchin was killed after being pinned between his car and a mailbox, which was attached to a security gate."

Police are currently investigating his death but don't suspect foul play.

- Bang! Showbiz, nzherald.co.nz