Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest NBA players of all time, has died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas Sunday morning, TMZ is reporting and ESPN has confirmed.
According to the report, Kobe and at least three other people were traveling in his private helicopter when it crashed and a fire broke out. Emergency personnel tried to respond to the situation but it was too late as all the people on board (most likely 5) were confirmed dead.
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
Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
Update: Kobe’s daughter Gianna Maria Onore has also died in the crash. They were on their way to the Mamba Academy for a basketball practice when the crash happened.
On Saturday, LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant to become the NBA’s third-highest scorer of all time in the LA Lakers’ 108-91 defeat by the Philadelphia 76ers. Kobe had tweeted to LeBron a congratulatory message on the feat which would be his last tweet. “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644,” he said.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother
#33644 — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020
Rest in peace.
U{DATE 2: NBC News reports that as well as Kobe and Gianna, a teammate of Gianna’s, her parent and the pilot passed away.
UPDATE: Gianna “Gigi” Bryant, 13, a daughter of Kobe Bryant, was also killed in the helicopter crash in California, a Calabasas city official tells @NBCNews.
A teammate of Gianna, the teammate’s parent and the pilot were also killed. https://t.co/0vmOHoLIeI
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) January 26, 2020