A helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, reported on Sunday afternoon claimed the lives of all nine members on board. Two of the named victims are that of 41-year-old, retired NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed that all nine passengers on board had perished in the crash. All victims have not yet been named as family members are being informed.
The helicopter went down off Las Virgenes. The crash site was remote, nobody on the ground was hurt. Investigators say that it will take time to fully understand the cause of the crash with early reports claiming that poor visibility may be to blame. Local police had already grounded their own helicopters due to adverse weather.
Due to the rough terrain where the helicopter crashed, authorities in Los Angeles state it could take several days for all the bodies to be recovered and a full understanding of what caused the crash to be ascertained.
What we know about the crash so far
The helicopter left John Wayne airport and followed a flight path which took it over Los Angles before proceeding over Glendale before proceeding west towards Malibu. The crash happened just outside Las Virgines in Calabasas around 10:00am Pacific time.
Kobe Bryant the Legend
Kobe Bryant is one of the most recognisable faces in the NBA as well as world sport and a number of high-profile stars all over the world took to social media to play tributes to the former MVP who played his entire 20-year career at LA Lakers.
He was a two-time NBA Finals MVP, was NBA scoring champion on two occasions as well as a two-time Olympic champion.
Since retiring he also won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2008 for Dear Basketball, based on a penned letter from the player about his love of Basketball dating from 2015.