BREAKING: Kobe Bryant killed in helicopter crash in California, daughter Gianna was also onboard
Multiple reports emerged earlier today of a helicopter crashing into the Calabasas hillside in California with no survivors. It was earlier claimed that a total of five individuals were on the chopper that went down but the LA Sheriff mentioned in a press release that they have a manifest which suggests that there were nine people onboard the vehicle. Basketball legend and 5-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant was one of them.
His second-eldest daughter Gianna Bryant was with him at the time of the tragic incident. The two were on their way to a basketball game. Additionally, the chopper was also carrying another player and parent as confirmed by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
As per local authorities, the carrier was a Sikorsky S-76B and was said to be flying during foggy conditions when it crashed into the hills above Calabasas and burst into flames. The reported time of the crash is 9:47 AM with local bodies stating that the fire was put out around 10:30 AM.
It was soon confirmed that there were no survivors following the accident. It's a huge loss for Los Angeles, the NBA, the basketball world, and even the entire sporting fraternity as a whole.
A Hall of Fame career
The preacher of 'Mamba Mentality', Kobe Bryant not only revolutionized the game of basketball but was a global sporting icon. Many young players of the current generation have claimed that he inspired them to pick up the sport and dream of playing in the NBA.
A Hall of Famer in every sense, Kobe has two NBA Finals MVP honors to go alongside his five rings. Bryant was selected to the NBA All-Star game a whopping 18 times, 17 of which were in succession from 2000 to 2016.
Kobe will forever be remembered for his aggression in the face of adversity and his clutch shots that seemed impossible to drain but he made them anyway. Prayers up for Kobe, Gianna, the entire Bryant family and the other passengers who lost their lives today.