Beiruting News

James Horner, the Oscar-winning composer of Titanic, has died aged 61 in a plane crash in southern California.

A single-engine plane registered to Horner crashed near Santa Barbara on Monday morning. The identity of the pilot was not initially known, but Horner's death was later confirmed by Sylvia Patrycja, his assistant, on her Facebook page, the Hollywood Reporter said.

"We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart and unbelievable talent," Patrycja wrote. "He died doing what he loved. Thank you for all your support."