This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51256756

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Kobe Bryant: Basketball legend dies in helicopter crash Kobe Bryant: Basketball legend dies in helicopter crash
(32 minutes later)
US basketball legend Kobe Bryant has been killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California. US basketball legend Kobe Bryant was among five people 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. Bryant, 41, was travelling in a private helicopter when it crashed and burst into flames, according to 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.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". Tributes from celebrities and fellow sports stars have been pouring in, many expressing shock at his sudden death.
"The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt," it added. "Please no. Please god no. It can't be true," basketball player Kevin Love wrote on Twitter.
Eyewitnesses told news site TMZ they heard the helicopter's engine spluttering before it went down. "Terrible news," wrote US President Donald Trump.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash and the LA County Sheriff's Department said there would be a press conference at 22:00 GMT. The identities of the other victims have not yet been released.
What do we know about the crash?
In a statement, 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".
"The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. Nobody on the ground was hurt," it added.
Eyewitnesses told news site TMZ they heard the helicopter's engine sputtering before it went down.
The LA County Sheriff's Department shared pictures from the scene of the accident, showing a fire truck and smoke emerging from the hills.
The US Federal Aviation Administration identified the crashed helicopter as a Sikorsky S-76. It said it was investigating the accident alongside the National Transportation Safety Board.
Officials are set to give further details at a press conference at 22:00 GMT.
Who was Bryant?
Bryant played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired in April 2016.Bryant played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired in April 2016.
Bryant's achievements include being the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and two-time NBA Finals MVP. He was also two-time NBA scoring champion and a two-time Olympic champion. His achievements include being the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player and two-time NBA Finals MVP. He was also two-time NBA scoring champion and a two-time Olympic champion.
He also won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport he had written in 2015.He also won an Oscar for best short animated film in 2018 for Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport he had written in 2015.