Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash at 41

[Kyng]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51256756

US basketball legend Kobe Bryant has been killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California.

Bryant, 41, was travelling in a private helicopter when it crashed and burst into flames, according to media reports.

The LA County Sheriff's department said five people died in the helicopter crash on Sunday, with no survivors.

The five-time NBA champion was widely considered one of the greatest players in the game's history.

In a statement on Twitter, the City of Calabasas said it was "with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash".

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This story broke about an hour or two ago, and I was waiting for official confirmation to see whether it was indeed true... but, given the number of media outlets that are now reporting it as fact, I guess we can treat it as such .

R.I.P. to Kobe Bryant, a true legend of his sport. My condolences to his friends and family.

[Pyrite]

Very sad news. Feel for those who knew him personally.

[Moonshroom]

What? I can't believe it.

I'm getting the same vibes of shock and sadness as when Roy Halladay passed away on a plane crash in 2017.

RIP, Kobe. Your talent blessed us all.

[Poppy]

Just seeing this now. Such great talent. God bless his family.

[Jarkko]

WOW. RIP, Kobe. 

Yes, he was one of the all-time greats, up with the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone, and Lebron James.

[GiraKeng]

As soon as I saw that headline, emotions came to me like a hammer.

I still can't wrap my head around all this... even his daughter was on that helicopter.

RIP Kobe Bryant, the Legend, GOAT, 24 & 8.

[Double Knot]

I was shocked when I seen this. He was one of my husband's favorite basketball players. His 13 year old daugther Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant has also been confirmed as one of the other people killed in the crash.

[Kyng]

His 13 year old daugther Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant has also been confirmed as one of the other people killed in the crash.

Wow, losing Bryant himself was tragic enough, but that makes things even worse .

I just can't imagine what their family must be going through right now...

[GrieferLord]

this is the second high profile helicopter crash within the month, this was unexpected news. well rip kobe

[Shiny Star]

I don’t really know much about him but I know from the flood of social media posts that he was a very talented man. News like this is heartbreaking and the amount of support shows the influence he had on people. I read somewhere that he has been with his wife since she was 17 so I can’t imagine how she feels right now.

May he, his daughter and the other passengers rest in peace.