NBA legend Kobe Bryant has been tragically killed in a helicopter crash. The 41-year-old died in Calabasas on Sunday morning. Bryant was travelling with at least three other people when his private helicopter went down – none of which survived.
Emergency personnel responded but were unable to save anyone that was on board with five people confirmed dead.
It is understood Vanessa Bryant was not on board. The cause of the helicopter crash is now under investigation.
The City of Calabasas has confirmed the death of Bryant.
In a statement they said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas.
“The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning.
“Nobody on the ground was hurt. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.”
Sporting world pays tribute to Kobe Bryant after tragic helicopter crash
Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash (Image: GETTY)
LA County sheriffs also tweeted: “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.”
Bryant has famously used a private helicopter for years, going back to when he was playing at the Lakers.
The NBA legend is survived by his wife Vanessa, and their four daughters – Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and newborn Capri.
Bryant is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He was an 18-time All-Star and was named in the All-NBA Team on 15 occasions.
Kobe Bryant dead: The Lakers legend has passed away after a helicopter crash (Image: GETTY)
Bryant was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2005 and racked up 1,346 regular season career appearances between 1996 and 2016.
The Lakers legend helped his side to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002 and continued to rank among the top players across the league until knee and shoulder injuries forced his retirement at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Bryant was the youngster player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points, hitting the milestone aged 34 years and 104 days.
He surpassed Jerry West as the Lakers’ all-time leading points scorer in February 2010 and has the joint-most All-Star MVP awards – tied with Bob Pettit on four.
Bryant also won Olympic gold medals as a member of the US National team at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Bryant also achieved success off the court with his film ‘ Dear Basketball’ winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Just last night Bryant congratulated current Lakers star LeBron James for becoming the NBA’s third-highest scorer of all-time.
He tweeted: “Continuing to move the game forward. Much respect my brother.”
And LeBron also said he was happy to be in the same conversation as Bryant.
“I’m happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bryant,” said James.
“One of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers.
“The man’s got two jerseys hanging up in Staples Center. It’s just crazy.”
Kobe Bryant has tragically died in a helicopter crash (Image: GETTY)
Tributes have come pouring in for Bryant since the news broke of his tragic death.
“NO NO NO NO KOBE!!!!!!! PLEASE BE A DREAM. KOBE CAN’T BE GONE,” former NFL star Shannon Sharpe tweeted.
“Oh no. How awful,” tweeted former Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker. “One of the greatest sportsmen of our lifetime. Utterly tragic.”
“Horrible!!!!” tweeted UFC president Dana White. “RIP my man.”
UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling tweeted: “RIP to a real leader and motivator #KobeBryant.”
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant tweeted: “This one hurt. Not my guy. Numb.”
At age 34, Kobe became the youngest player in NBA history to surpass the 30,000 point mark.
Speaking of putting up points, Bryant was known for his 81 point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. It was one of the greatest performances in modern NBA history.
It wasn’t just on the court he was a success either as back in 2018 he won an Oscar for short film, “Dear Basketball”.
Kobe Bryant dead: The scene of the helicopter crash (Image: GETTY)
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