NBA legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. He was 41. Local authorities have confirmed Bryant was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others when the aircraft developed trouble and crashed in a hilly area of Calabasas. Police said no one survived the crash.
NBA officials also confirmed Bryant's tragic passing and that of his young daughter. The private helicopter was carrying nine people, including the pilot, at the time of the accident, which according to media reports occurred in a foggy condition.
An eyewitness, identified by The Los Angeles Times as Jerry Kocharian, said he heard of a helicopter that appeared to be flying low and struggling prior to the crash.
"It [didn't] sound right and it was real low. I saw it falling and spluttering. But it was hard to make out as it was so foggy," Kocharian was reported as saying.
He continued that the helicopter was enveloped by a thick cloud and then a loud boom was heard in the surrounding areas.
"There was a big fireball. No one could survive that," Kocharian said.
In a statement, the city of Calabasas confirmed that "an aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning," adding that the FAA and NTSB are now investigating.
"It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas," the statement said and per Bleacher Report.
The NBA said the news of Bryant's death was "devastating" and described the Lakers icon, who played for 20 years in the league before retiring in 2016, "one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary."
"He will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of the game to Gianna," league officials said.
In a Twitter post, U.S. President Donald Trump shared the news that Bryant died in a chopper crash, which according to him "is terrible news.
Former President Barack Obama said losing Kobe and Gianna was "heartbreaking," adding the former Lakers "was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act."
"Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day," Obama was reported by TMZ as saying.
Bryant's former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal took to social media and posted: "There's no words to express the pain I'm going through now with this tragic and sad moment of losing my friend, my brother, my partner in winning championships, my dude and my homie ... I love you brother and you will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board."
In the same report, it was noted that Bryant ended his NBA career with a bang. In his last appearance, he scored 60 points in a winning game against the Utah Jazz in 2016, seemingly a fitting finale to a glorious run that saw him win two Olympic golds, five NBA titles, two Finals MVP and getting voted as the league MVP in 2008.
