Kobe Bryant, five-time NBA champion and legendary shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has died following a devastating helicopter crash. He was 41.
Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter were among five people or more on board. ESPN is reporting that Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna Bryant when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent and the pilot. The crash happened around 10 a.m. near about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, there were no survivors. An investigation is ongoing.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said it was a Sikorsky S-76 and it was not known what caused the crash. Story is developing.
Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his daughter Alyssa Altobelli and wife Keri Altobelli were on the helicopter with Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna when it crashed in Calabasas, California, a relative tells CNN https://t.co/6mZ6gODR7C
— CNN (@CNN) January 26, 2020
#BREAKING Officials now say 9 killed incl. Kobe Bryant in fatal crash
The manifest for the helicopter that crashed showed 9 people on board, the sheriff says. Kobe Bryant was among the dead, and there were no survivors. https://t.co/L1ZmCNVqQN pic.twitter.com/1tBK3eqSO6 — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) January 26, 2020
Five people confirmed deceased, no survivors in #Calabasas helicopter crash. #LASD #Malibu deputies remain with #LA County Fire personnel. Investigation ongoing. Avoid the area until further notice. — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020
#Update Downed aircraft is a helicopter. Flames extinguished. #Malibu deputies at crash site looking for survivors, 4200 blk Las Virgenes Rd #Calabasas #LASD pic.twitter.com/eixLhGhLyE — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020
#BREAKING: Kobe Bryant, the NBA and MVP who spanned a 20-year career with the L.A. Lakers, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. He was 41. — Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 26, 2020
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1 — SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
Michael Jordan on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna pic.twitter.com/z0Ja0hf9QX — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) January 26, 2020
Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020As I try to write this post, my mind is racing. I’m in disbelief and have been crying all morning over this devastating news that Kobe and his young daughter, Gigi have passed away in a helicopter crash. Cookie and I are heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/X2vF0M0a1u
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Kobe and I shared so many special conversations about life and basketball. We had so much in common off the court. I used to love talking to him about Lakers basketball, being fathers and husbands and how much we loved Italy. I will miss those conversations and him so much. pic.twitter.com/PIv7obzr2x — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
