photo credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Rest in Peace.
According to several reports, basketball legend Kobe Bryant has reportedly passed away in a helicopter crash at the age of 41-years-old. The accident took place in Calabasas, California on Sunday Jan. 26th.
A trusted name in the basketball community, Adrian Wojnarowski confirms the passing of Bryant in the tragic crash that also killed five people.
Kobe Bryant is among those dead in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles, a source confirms to ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020
According to TMZ, Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter was also on board in the helicopter. They report that the former Lakers star was on his way to the Mamba Academy for basketball practice.
Wojnarowski also confirms the other two people on board on the helicopter.
“Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent,” he wrote according to his sources.
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
The future basketball Hall of Famer was reportedly in his private helicopter with at least four other people when it crashed. Emergency personnel responded when a fire broke out. No one onboard the helicopter survived, according to reports.
Update: 9 people were on board the helicopter that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and others. There were no survivors according to Sheriff Alex Villanueva during a recent press conference.
BREAKING:
Sheriff Alex Villanueva says 9 people were on board the helicopter that crashed, killing Kobe Bryant and his daughter. All 9 people were killed. @ABC7— Jory Rand (@ABC7Jory) January 26, 2020
A Sheriff at the press conference reveals that the manifest showed there was 9 people on board the helicopter. He also seems to criticize TMZ for reporting on Kobe Bryant’s death before family notifications could be made pic.twitter.com/7WIuaAHLJf
— Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) January 26, 2020
Kobe leaves behind a wife and four children.
The NBA legend was passed by current Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James after becoming third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Bryant congratulating him on the accomplishment, and passing him on the list.
Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother