NBA legend Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash

An enormous crowd of people, grieving the death of NBA star Kobe Bryant, is gathering at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

A huge crowd has gathered at the Staples Center in Los Angeles following the death of Kobe Bryant. The NBA legend was killed in a helicopter crash aged 41.

TMZ first reported the iconic basketballer died in an accident in Calabasas, California. One of Bryant’s four daughters, Gianna, 13, was also killed in the crash.

"THANK YOU, KOBE."

Hundreds of fans chanted outside the Staples Center to pay tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in Southern California. https://t.co/xdOulVCI6b pic.twitter.com/ujSr5wMYdL

— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2020

I’m literally in STAPLES Center right now. Everyone has the same look of loss right now. We’re all zombies. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe what it feels like.

— Justin Tinsley (@JustinTinsley) January 26, 2020

People have started a memorial for Kobe Bryant outside the Staples Center

(via @Chiney321)pic.twitter.com/Cywy6nf6ul

— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) January 26, 2020

We’re aware of published reports regarding the helicopter crash in Calabasas today & we’re still in the process of confirming with @LASDHQ who was on board. As a reminder, the area around the Staples Center is closed due to the Grammys & fans will not be able to access the arena.

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 26, 2020

A huge crowd gathers at the Staples Center.

Devastated fans have made a makeshift memorial for the star near the multi-purpose arena — home to the LA Lakers.

The Staples Center itself is closed due to the Grammys.

The LAPD warned fans they would not be able to access the arena.

NO SURVIVORS

The LA County Sheriff’s office tweeted there were no survivors from the helicopter crash.

Authorities later gave a brief press conference where they confirmed nine people had died in the crash, but did not release their identities and will not do so until the coroner investigates further.

The NBA’s most well-known reporter Adrian Wojnarowski said on Twitter Bryant was travelling to a basketball game with his teenage daughter when the helicopter crashed.

Sources: Kobe Bryant was on his way to a travel basketball game with his daughter Gianna when the helicopter crashed. Those aboard the helicopter also included another player and parent.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 26, 2020

The Los Angeles Times reported Bryant died when the helicopter he was in crashed into hills amid foggy conditions shortly before 10am Sunday local time.

The crash sparked a brush fire that made it difficult for emergency workers in their initial rescue efforts.

Bryant’s wife Vanessa was not on board. The pair have three other daughters apart from Gianna — Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

Capri is the youngest and was born in June last year.

Bryant is one of the most famous players to ever step foot on a basketball court. He has scored the fourth-most points of anyone in the league’s history, being surpassed just last week by fellow superstar LeBron James.

READ: Kobe’s emotional post before death

READ: World reacts to Bryant’s death

The world is mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Bryant will forever be a Lakers legend.

Starting with The Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, Bryant enjoyed a professional career spanning two decades as he became the face of the iconic NBA franchise.

He won five NBA championships with the Lakers and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in two NBA Finals campaigns.

An 18-time All-Star, Bryant was recognised as the league’s MVP in 2008 and was also a two-time Olympic gold medallist, helping guide the USA to titles in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London.

Known as Black Mamba, Bryant retired in 2016, signing off by dropping 60 points in his final game.

Fire crews attend the scene of the scene of helicopter crash in Calabasas. Picture: LA County Sheriff/Twitter.

The hills in Calabasas where the helicopter went down. Picture: LA County Sheriff/Twitter

The accident is under investigation. Picture: Today/Channel9

The helicopter Bryant was in was described as a Sikorsky S-76, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesman Allen Kenitzer said.

The FAA will investigate the incident.

Bryant won an Oscar in 2018 for best short animated film, Dear Basketball, which was based on a letter he wrote to the sport in 2015.

Sports stars and celebrities from around the world started paying tribute to Bryant on social media after the tragic news was confirmed.

There were no survivors in the crash.

Firefighters attend the charred wreckage.

Firefighters were on the scene to extinguish flames from the crash.