Former NBA star Kobe Bryant, daughter killed in helicopter crash in California
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Former National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles on Sunday, along with eight other people, according to numerous sources and reports.
Reports coming out of the United States said Bryant, 41, was among a group of nine people aboard a helicopter that crashed in Calabasas, southern California at approximately 10 a.m. local time.
The Los Angeles County Sherriff’s office confirmed the crash in a post on Twitter, stating that all nine people on the helicopter were pronounced dead after initially reporting that five people died.
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.
Sources also said that Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna was one of the nine passengers onboard the helicopter. ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported the news on Twitter.
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
Reports said Bryant was traveling to a youth basketball practice with his daughter when the helicopter crashed.
The aircraft was identified as a Sikorsky S-76B, believed to be Bryant’s private helicopter.
Bryant enjoyed a glittering basketball career as a small forward and shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers between 1996 to 2016.
During his 20-year career with the Lakers, Bryant won the NBA Championship five times and was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) on two occasions (2009, 2010).
He also won Olympic gold medals with the United States Men’s national team in Beijing (2008) and London (2012), as well as a gold medal in 2007 at the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas.
The basketball legend leaves behind his wife Vanessa, and their three daughters: Natalia, Bianca, and newborn Capri.