Kobe Bryant, former NBA great, has died.
A five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, Bryant was reportedly a passenger on board a helicopter that crashed in the Los Angeles County suburb of Calabasas, according to multiple American news outlets.
Can confirm legend Kobe Bryant has been tragically killed in an helicopter accident, sources told Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 26, 2020
He was 41. Known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bryant was retired but his film "Dear Basketball," Bryant's ode to the sport that made him famous, won the Academy Award for best animated short last year.
#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
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.
Multiple media sources are also reporting one of his daughters was travelling with him and died in the crash.
Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Gianna Maria Bryant was 13 years old. She was the second eldest of Bryant's daughters and played basketball.
Condolences are currently coming from around the sports world.
As if this couldn't get worse
— Tass (@FaZeTass) January 26, 2020
Kobe's daughter Gianna, has been confirmed on the helicopter, she loved basketball just as much as her Dad, and this clip of them two genuinely breaks my heart, my deepest prayers are sent to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family, I am so upset pic.twitter.com/ePgSJLozl5
Devastated to hear the news on my friend @kobebryant passing. Prayers go out to his wife Vanessa and his children and the @Lakers family. pic.twitter.com/Oki9GkYEu5
— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) January 26, 2020
Life is just too short and unfair sometimes. Greatness taken away in a heartbeat. RIP @kobebryant. Such a tragic loss. God bless your girls. 💔 #KobeBryant https://t.co/EzFNX0yQr8
— Hayley Wickenheiser (@wick_22) January 26, 2020
Our thoughts are with Bryant family.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) January 26, 2020
— This story was updated to include information about other passengers in the helicopter.
