Kobe Bryant, 41, the legendary basketball star who spent 20 years with the Lakers, was killed when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed and burst into flames Sunday morning amid foggy conditions in the hills above Calabasas, sources told the Los Angeles Times.
His daughter Gianna, 13, was also on board, NBA authorities confirmed.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said nine people were on the copter — a pilot and eight passengers. He would not confirm who had died until all the next of kin have been notified, he said.
Bryant’s death stunned Los Angeles and the sports world, which mourned one of basketball’s greatest players. Sources said the helicopter took off from Orange County, where Bryant lived.
The crash occurred shortly before 10 a.m. near Las Virgenes Road and Willow Glen Street in Calabasas. Authorities received a 911 call at 9:47 a.m., and firefighters arrived to find that the crash had ignited a quarter-acre brush fire in steep terrain, said L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby. Responders included 56 fire personnel — firefighters, a helicopter with paramedics, hand crews — and sheriff’s deputies.
“Our firefighters hiked into the accident site with their medical equipment and hose lines to extinguish the stubborn fire as it included the brush fire … and the helicopter,” Osby said during a news conference Sunday afternoon. “The fire also included magnesium, which is very hard for firefighters to extinguish because magnesium reacts with oxygen and water.”
Firefighter-paramedics were hoisted into the crash zone early on to look for survivors, Osby said. All nine people on board had died, Villanueva said at the news conference. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, and the Los Angeles County coroner’s office is working on retrieving the bodies and identifying the victims.
Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli was among those who died in the crash, the college confirmed. As a mentor and coach for 27 years, he helped students earn scholarships to play at four-year colleges and treated players like family, the statement said.
“Coach Altobelli was a giant on our campus — a beloved teacher, coach, colleague and friend. This is a tremendous loss for our campus community,” OCC President Angelica Suarez said in a statement.
The National Transportation Safety Board database does not show any prior incidents or accidents for the aircraft. The helicopter was registered to the Fillmore-based Island Express Holding Corp., according to the California secretary of state’s business database. The helicopter’s manufacturer, Sikorsky, said in a statement Sunday that it is cooperating with the investigation.
Jerry Kocharian was standing outside the Church in the Canyon drinking coffee when he heard a helicopter that was flying unusually low and struggling.
“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 said. The helicopter vanished into a cloud of fog and then there was a boom.
“There was a big fireball,” he said. “No one could survive that.”
Across the country Sunday, public figures, former teammates and fans alike mourned the basketball star.
“Particularly when he was young, to be a part of his life and to watch his career grow, watch him grow, this is one of the most tragic days of my life,” said fellow Lakers legend Jerry West, 81.
West was the general manager for the Lakers in 1996 and maneuvered Bryant’s immediate trade to the Lakers when he was drafted.
“I know somewhere along the way I guess I’ll come to grips with it. But now I have all these different emotions regarding him. The things I watched him do on the basketball court, but more importantly … he was making a difference off the court. It’s so unexplainable. This is going to take a long time for me.”
Credit: LA Times
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One less rapist scumbag
Hammer M’Cannon nobody will give a shit when you die you scumbag
Hammer M’Cannon says who? Some stupid bitch that wanted money???? Asking for a friend…..
Hammer M’Cannon have some compassion for those on board. His daughter, her friend (s), the pilot. It’s sad all around and not a time for hatred.
Sharon Pav only picture he has on his profile is that of a liquor store. Why are we listening to him
Lindsay Byers exactly
Lindsay Byers further investigation into Hammer and it is a fake account.
Ya’ll know he admitted it tho right?
Hammer M’Cannon Your a heartless ignorant ass.
Hammer M’Cannon You are one sad human being
Pathetic piece of shit. Someone should beat you with a Hammer
Hammer M’Cannon keep your nasty comments to yourself have a heart
Hammer M’Cannon You mean his minor daughter and the other 7 people too ? They were all rapists ? What a stupid thing to say.
Bottom of the barrel. What part of Ocean County do you live in , MC hammer ?
Hammer M’Cannon know your facts if he was a rapist he wouldnt be alowed to see or be around his daughter till she was 18
You’re all dorks. Go free bill Cosby you rape lovers. John I live at your moms house btw (it’s consensual) Another dead billionaire boo f’n hoo cry me a river
Wow
One of the good guys..prayers for his family..tragic
Awful news.
So very heartbreaking for all who died in this terrible accident ????????
The creepy thing is that LeBron James broke his point record less than a day before. I’d hate to think that his ego was so big that he’d die “accidentally” because of it, or that someone hateful did it to him with that timing to celebrate..
Billie Morgan you can take off your tinfoil hat!
Who the hell thinks like that? Omg! Prayers!!!
Billie Morgan you need to start praying for help from God why would you even think such a thing shameful thoughts
Kobe Bryant had the third all time highest point scoring record in all history. Only Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Karl Malone had scored more. There was a buzz among fans on Saturday about LeBron being the new #3 and what an achievement it was. Multiple news outlets reported the amazing feat. A new record.
Then less than 24 hours later Kobe dies in a helicopter crash. Number 4 for less than a day. Creepy, yes. I suppose only Chinese basketball fans will understand the symbolism. Read why buildings in China have no floors numbered 4. They go from 39 to 50. 3rd floor to 5th. Same in Korea. Kim Jong is a big fan of American basketball…
I’m not even going to go into the egotistical and narcissist mind of a rapist..
How absolutely tragic.
Such comments are horrible at this time he was a great man and lost his life with his beautiful daughter stop of think of his poor family suffering right now have a heart makes me sick thinking of the negative comments about this tragedy prayers for the family ????????????????????
The girl that he raped probably has forgiven him, but I don’t think she’s mourning.
Billie Morgan he never raped that whore.
She cried rape then the exam found another guys seman and pubic hair in her underwear.
A whore who wanted to cash out
Mike Salimbene yea then he apologized to her and paid her ????????
Terrible news. I read weather was very bad and even the police departments had there choppers grounded. Prayers with all the families ????
All the negativity is very sad. There were 9 people who died in this crash so have a little compassion for those families!!! Rest In Peace my prayers are with all the families effected by this tragedy