Kobe Bryant, the 41-year old former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player, was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas of southern California on Sunday (Jan 26).
Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Maria Onore Bryant was also killed in the fatal crash, according to the US National Basketball Association. Bryant and Gianna were heading to Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball game scheduled for Sunday.
During his entire 20-year career in the NBA, Bryant represented the Los Angeles Lakers and forged an impressive partnership with another star Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant won five NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals representing US National basketball team. After his retirment, Bryant founded a venture capital firm focused on different businesses including media, data, gaming, and technology, with $100 million in funding.
The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10 a.m. Nobody on the ground was hurt, the city tweeted.
Nine people were confirmed deceased, no survivors in Calabasas helicopter crash, the Los Angeles County Sheriff''s Department tweeted.
Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff''s Department responded to the scene near Las Virgenes Road and Willow Glen Street at around 10 a.m., the department tweeted.
Flames that erupted in the crash have been extinguished. The investigation is underway.
(With Inputs From IANS)