US basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his
daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city
of Calabasas, California.
daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city
of Calabasas, California.
Bryant, 41, and Gianna,
13, were travelling in a private helicopter when it came down and burst into
flames.
13, were travelling in a private helicopter when it came down and burst into
flames.
The LA county sheriff said there were no
survivors. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers
throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the
game’s history.
survivors. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers
throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the
game’s history.
Tributes from celebrities and fellow sports
stars have been pouring in, many expressing shock at his sudden death. Moments
of silence have been observed at basketball games across the US.
stars have been pouring in, many expressing shock at his sudden death. Moments
of silence have been observed at basketball games across the US.
Bryant was also remembered at
the Grammy Awards, which were held at the Staples Center, the Los
Angeles Lakers’ stadium, on Sunday night.
the Grammy Awards, which were held at the Staples Center, the Los
Angeles Lakers’ stadium, on Sunday night.
“We’re all feeling crazy sadness right
now,” said host Alicia Keys. “Because earlier today Los Angeles,
America and the whole wide world lost a hero. We’re literally standing here
heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”
now,” said host Alicia Keys. “Because earlier today Los Angeles,
America and the whole wide world lost a hero. We’re literally standing here
heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.”
The National Basketball
Association issued a statement saying it was “devastated by the tragic
passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna”. “For 20 seasons,
Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute
devotion to winning,” it said.
Association issued a statement saying it was “devastated by the tragic
passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna”. “For 20 seasons,
Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute
devotion to winning,” it said.
In a statement on Sunday
afternoon, the City of Calabasas said it heard the news “with great
sadness”. “The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes
around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt,” it added.
afternoon, the City of Calabasas said it heard the news “with great
sadness”. “The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes
around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt,” it added.
Gavin Masak, who lives nearby, told CBS News of the moment the
helicopter crashed. “It wasn’t exactly like an explosion sound but it was
like a loud boom. It sounded like a helicopter, but it sounded like a jet, like
it was loud, so I went inside and told my dad what was happening. So when I
came out I saw smoke on the hill but it wasn’t like a big, black cloud of
smoke, it was just grey,” he said.
helicopter crashed. “It wasn’t exactly like an explosion sound but it was
like a loud boom. It sounded like a helicopter, but it sounded like a jet, like
it was loud, so I went inside and told my dad what was happening. So when I
came out I saw smoke on the hill but it wasn’t like a big, black cloud of
smoke, it was just grey,” he said.
Other eyewitnesses told
celebrity news site TMZ they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it
went down. The LA County Sheriff’s Department shared pictures from the scene of
the accident, showing a fire truck and smoke emerging from the hills.
celebrity news site TMZ they heard the helicopter’s engine sputtering before it
went down. The LA County Sheriff’s Department shared pictures from the scene of
the accident, showing a fire truck and smoke emerging from the hills.
The National
Transportation Safety Board identified the crashed helicopter as a Sikorsky
S-76B and said it was sending a team to investigate the crash. Police have
asked people to stay away from the crash site in order not to interfere with
the investigation.
Transportation Safety Board identified the crashed helicopter as a Sikorsky
S-76B and said it was sending a team to investigate the crash. Police have
asked people to stay away from the crash site in order not to interfere with
the investigation.
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