Bryant crash created a 'devastating accident scene' say officials
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirm nine passengers are believed to have been killed in the crash
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Your support makes all the difference.Kobe Bryant’s helicopter did not have a black box, and nor was it required to have one, crash officials have revealed, as they start to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.
As more than 20 members of the national transportation board (NTSB scoured the California hillside where the chopper came down on Sunday morning in bad weather, officials asked for the public to help to provide photographs of the conditions.
NTSB spokesperson Jennifer Homendy said the pilot of the chopper told air traffic controllers in his last radio message that he was climbing to avoid a cloud layer.
The phe pilot had asked for and received special clearance to fly in heavy fog just minutes before the crash and was flying at 1400 feet (427 meters) when he went south and then west, she said.
The pilot then asked for air traffic controllers to provide “flight following” aide but was told the craft was too low, she said.
Ms Homendy said the debris field covered “about 500 to 600 feet”.
Asked if anyone could have survived, she said: “It was a pretty devastating accident scene.”
Reports have emerged of extremely foggy conditions that grounded planes and plagued the California region where Bryant died in a tragic helicopter crash.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star was on the private helicopter with his 13-year-old daughter, a beloved baseball coach and multiple families when it crashed in Calabasas, California on Sunday afternoon, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Tributes have since poured in across the globe as fans remembered the iconic 41-year-old, whose decades-long career propelled him to international stardom and ultimately transcended basketball.
Bryant spent the entirety of his 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships, before retiring in 2016. He also won two Olympic gold medals with the US national team in 2008 and 2012. Follow live updates below:
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Tributes
Tributes have poured in for Kobe Bryant after the former basketball star has died in a helicopter crash at the age of 41.
The likes of US president Donald Trump, Usain Bolt, Tom Brady, Whoopi Goldberg, Lennox Lewis, Andy Murray and Justin Bieber were among those to pay their respects to the five-time NBA champion on social media.
Bryant, regarded as one of the best players of all time, represented the Los Angeles Lakers for all of his 20-year career and also won two Olympic gold medals before retiring in 2016.
President Trump wrote on Twitter: “Reports are that basketball great Kobe Bryant and three others have been killed in a helicopter crash in California. That is terrible news!”
Joel Embiid, a three-time NBA All-Star playing for Bryant’s hometown team the Philadelphia 76ers, said he took up basketball after watching “legend” Bryant in action and wanted to emulate him.
The Cameroon-born centre wrote: “Man I don’t even know where to start. I started playing ball because of KOBE after watching the 2010 finals. I had never watched ball before that and that finals was the turning point of my life. I WANTED TO BE LIKE KOBE. I’m so FREAKING SAD right now!!!! RIP LEGEND”
Former record-breaking Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt tweeted: “Still can’t believe” along with a photo of him with Bryant.
Tom Brady, the six-time Super Bowl winner, wrote: “We miss you already Kobe”
Shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who won three NBA titles with the Miami Heat and was a team-mate of Bryant’s with the United States, wrote: “Nooooooooooo God please No!”
Team USA wrote: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two-time Olympic champion Kobe Bryant. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
TV presenter Whoopi Goldberg wrote: “RIP Kobe, hero to many including my grandson, extraordinary athlete and always kind to me & my family. My deepest condolences to his family.”
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis put a picture of Bryant on his Twitter account simply accompanied by the word “Heartbroken”.
Fellow boxer Tony Bellew, meanwhile, wrote: “Truly heartbreaking news about the great Kobe Bryant! An iconic figure who will go down with the greatest of his generation.”
Three-time grand slam tennis champion Andy Murray also paid tribute to Bryant, saying on an Instagram story “This has hit me hard”, while adding “Thinking of all his family, friends and colleagues.”
Scores of footballers tweeted their shock and sadness, including United States striker Alex Morgan, Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling, Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku.
Morgan, a two-time World Cup winner and gold medallist at the 2012 London Olympics, wrote: “My heart is heavy with the news of Kobe Bryant. Prayers go out to his family right now through this unthinkable time.”
Series A giants AC Milan tweeted: “We have no words to express how shocked we are to hear of the tragic passing of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and Rossonero fan, Kobe Bryant. All our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic accident. You will forever be missed, Kobe.”
Biles, winner of 23 Olympic and World Championship gold medals, wrote “rest in peace Kobe” alongside a picture of Bryant with the USA women’s gymnastics team.
Singer Bieber also put an old picture of him alongside Bryant on Instagram, saying: “It can’t be. You always encouraged me mamba. Gave me me some of the best quotes that we smile about to this day.! Love you man!”
PA
A touching tribute on the back cover of the Los Angeles Times today.
One of the City of Angels' most beloved sons, after Philly native Bryant made it his home for 20 years as a Laker.
PSG superstar Neymar paid tribute to Kobe Bryant last night as his side beat Lille 2-0.
The Brazilian refused to celebrate with joy, instead raising his fingers to show a "2" and a "4" in each hand in reference to Bryant's iconic No 24 jersey.
Conor McGregor has paid tribute to Kobe Bryant at last night's Grammys.
"It's very sad news," McGregor said. "He lost his daughter as well, it's hard to get up for this event.
"It's a very sad time. The first time I came to America he was one of the biggest stars here, we don't understand basketball much back home.
"But Kobe, his star transcends sport, I would have loved to have met him, it's just very sad."
Odom pays tribute to Bryant in emotional letter
"These picture are just the tip of the iceberg of our relationship," he said to open an emotional post on Instagram.
"He taught me so many things in life that were necessary on and off the court.
"On the court he taught me how to carve out defences and how to take my time. How to make winning my ultimate goal.
"Off the court he taught me to sign my own cheques.
"Of course anyone who knows my story knows I've suffered a lot of loss but the only loss I can compare this to is when I lost my son. Even though our relationship wasn't father/son, it was more like him being a teacher and me being his brother.
"I'm glad I got to be the Ying to your Yang as far as the locker room was concerned. It was my pleasure.
"I couldn't even catch my breath today when I heard this news. I just knew if he was in a helicopter crash he would have been the one to survive.
"Somehow he would have jumped out and landed on his feet.
"I'm sitting here thinking about when we would be in practice scrimmaging and you would start the jump ball off with elbowing Sasha in the chest. Like dude it's 10:30 in the morning lol.
"You think watching him play was crazy, you gotta [sic] think in practice if you scored like 8-9 buckets throughout the practice you had a great practice. I've seen him knock off 13-14 in a row in practice!!!!
"I'm still waiting for the media to come out and say wrong report. No way God took my brother this early.
"I know I['ve] been through my own stuff in life with using drugs and not being good to myself.
"When I went through that Coma situation if God would have came to me and said we would take me and spare Kobe I would have rather that happened.
"In honour of my brother I'm up at 4am tomorrow to get to the gym!
"Gigi [is] gone [sic] give you buckets!!!!
"I love you brother."
A touching tribute last night from Trae Young, the Hawks star who is one of many to be inspired by Kobe Bryant.
Young pulled on the No 8 jersey in tribute to the legendary Laker and did it justice too.
Pouring in 45 points in a 152-133 win over the Wizards, with an spooky 24 shots (the number of Bryant's other iconic number).
Kobe's partner in crime in his prime was Shaq and the big man has found some words after the shocking news.
Snoop Dogg has shared a clip of himself with Kobe Bryant discussing basketball.
And the US rapper has declared his love for the legendary Laker.
Jamie Foxx has taken to Instagram to show his adulation for Bryant.
He said: "Just can’t take this one. Sending up prayers to your beautiful family. This hurt is for a lifetime... Kobe you will be missed for eternity. REST IN POWER.
"Just a few days ago you opened up your heart and bought out theatres for the inner city. We got a chance to chop it up. My heart breaks looking back at this."
Former NBA player, friend and opponent, Dwyane Wade, has shared a series of emotional videos on Instagram in response to the tragic news of Bryant's passing.
"It seems like a bad dream you just wanna wake up from. It's a nightmare," Wade said through tears. "It's a sad day, there's no way around it. My family and I have been sharing Kobe stories. HE has so many moments he's given us. I'm thankful for those moments. He was one of my favourite players ... I'm gonna miss the friendship.
"When I came in the league I chased him. That's who I chased. Kobe, thank you man. Thank you for all the memories."
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