US rock musician Tom Petty has died on Monday night at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after he suffered cardiac arrest, says a statement issued by his manager Tony Dimitriades on behalf of his family.

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The singer-songwriter was reportedly rushed to the UCLA Santa Monica hospital after being found unconscious in his Malibu home, but could not be revived.

“We are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty,” Dimitriades said on behalf of the family.

“He died peacefully at 8.40pm surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends.”

It is understood that Petty was found unconscious, not breathing and in full cardiac arrest at his Malibu home early on Monday.

He was taken to hospital, but could not be revived and died later that evening.

Petty was also a co-founder of the Traveling Wilburys group in the late 1980s, touring with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison.

“It’s shocking, crushing news,” Dylan told the Los Angeles Times.

“I thought the world of Tom. He was a great performer, full of the light, a friend, and I’ll never forget him.”

Other tributes include those from fellow musicians Sir Paul McCartney, Carole King, Brian Wilson and Cyndi Lauper.