John Ritter's Character die/not die

I was always a little confused about the ending, because Ritter is never mentioned again (= he survive). The movie still works, but "everyone else" dies too. AND: There are pictures that showing him actually dead! Look:

http://images3.cinema.de/imedia/5310/2015310,TfpHoAlyl6FoVNR2ljANu6zfG6xNplQYfKbP39Vm3ZLuBIdgcna4JL5SCXXB2wTq8H0SWOYoM3UXHtvYWCQ3+A==.jpg

Interesting fact in my opinion.