NBA legend Kobe Bryant killed in Los Angeles helicopter crash

Publish Date: Monday, 27 January 2020, 8:54AM

Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant has reportedly been killed in a private helicopter crash in Los Angeles.

Police have confirmed a helicopter crash in Calabasas and say there are five people confirmed dead.

ABC News and TMZ is reporting that Bryant - one of the biggest names in the sporting world - is among those killed in the crash.

Bryant was travelling with four other people in his private helicopter when it crashed, killing everyone on board.

TMZ said a fire broke out on board the helicopter, causing the tragic accident.

Five people confirmed deceased, no survivors in #Calabasas helicopter crash. #LASD #Malibu deputies remain with #LA County Fire personnel. Investigation ongoing.

Avoid the area until further notice.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020

#Update Downed aircraft is a helicopter. Flames extinguished. #Malibu deputies at crash site looking for survivors, 4200 blk Las Virgenes Rd #Calabasas #LASD pic.twitter.com/eixLhGhLyE
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020

Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of the crash near Las Virgenes Rd and Willow Glen St in Calabasas at around 10am Sunday (local time) after a fire broke out.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. It is unclear where the chopper departed from or where it was headed when it went down.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar, 41, is a father of four.

The 18-time NBA All-Star spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships.

He was the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons.

Bryant has been known to use a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter to travel for years - often flying from Newport Beach to the Staples Center for Lakers games.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission

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