Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
Multiple outlets including the Los Angeles Times and ESPN are confirming that one of the individuals on board a helicopter crash in Los Angeles was NBA legend, Kobe Bryant. Bryant, a 5-time champion and the league’s fourth all-time leading scorer, was on board a helicopter in Calabasas shortly after 9 a.m. Bryant recently gave a hat tip to LeBron James for passing him on the NBA’s all-time scoring list one night ago.
Bryant was among eight other individuals who perished in the crash, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna as well as former UH baseball captain John Altobelli.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the crash “ignited a brush fire and made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft”.
TMZ first reported the crash along with Variety.
Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their three daughters — Natalia and Bianca, and their newborn Capri.
Bryant, who played his entire 20-year career with the Lakers won 2 NBA Finals MVPs to go along with his five titles. He was the 2007-08 NBA MVP, a four-time All-Star Game MVP and is widely considered amongst the game’s all-time greats.
Kobe Bryant, Daughter Gianna Among 9 Killed In Helicopter Crash In Los Angeles was originally published on zhiphopcleveland.com
1.
BREAKING: Kobe Bryant Has Died In A Helicopter Crash https://t.co/42oINV9ZUU
— TMZ (@TMZ) January 26, 2020
2.
Five people confirmed deceased, no survivors in #Calabasas helicopter crash. #LASD #Malibu deputies remain with #LA County Fire personnel. Investigation ongoing.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020
Avoid the area until further notice.
3.
#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
KTLA in Los Angeles has confirmed that Kobe Bryant was in fact on the plane and has died.
4.
BREAKING: Former Laker Kobe Bryant has died after the helicopter he was in crashed on a hillside in the Calabasas area on Sunday morning, officials tell Variety https://t.co/etEMdq9GKk
— KTLA (@KTLA) January 26, 2020
5.
Kobe Bryant has died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CBSLA Sports Director Jim Hill has confirmed. He was 41. https://t.co/v9ouQ9NzCr
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) January 26, 2020
6.
It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.
— City of Calabasas (@CityofCalabasas) January 26, 2020
