Tributes have been paid to a female stunt driver who died after a motorcycle crash on a set for the movie Deadpool 2 in Vancouver.

The film's leading star Ryan Reynolds said he was "heartbroken, shocked and devastated" at the death of Joi SJ Harris

Production on the film has been temporarily halted.

Ms Harris is thought to have practised the stunt several times before the fatal accident.

The experienced motorcyclist was described by a magazine as one of the best in the business.

Black Girls Ride Magazine said in 2015 that she was "leading the pack in more ways than one".

"I am everything people never saw in this sport," Ms Harris told the magazine, adding that the high costs of road racing were a barrier, and most of her competitors were young, affluent white men

Witness Sharmina Kermalli said she had just walked into a Starbucks next door to where the accident happened when she heard a loud crash. She ran out of the coffee shop and saw glass still falling on the body of the woman.

A crumpled motorcycle was seen lying on its side at the location of the accident near Vancouver's waterfront.

Officers are at the scene and investigators with WorkSafeBC, the provincial workplace safety agency, are also looking into the crash.

A spokesman for 20th Century Fox said: "We are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred on the set of Deadpool 2 this morning. Our hearts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of our crew member during this difficult time."

Deadpool, a Marvel Comics superhero, is played by Vancouver-born actor Reynolds.

Another stuntman was fatally injured last month during production of The Walking Dead when he fell head-first onto concrete about 22 feet below after appearing to try to grab a railing to stop his fall.