Kobe Bryant Killed In Helicopter Crash: See The Shocking Photos From Fatal Scene
Jan. 27 2020, Updated 5:23 a.m. ET
Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on Sunday morning and RadarOnline.com has the photos from the scene of the fatal accident.
Bryant, 41, was one of nine people killed when his private helicopter crashed near Calabasas, Calif. on January 26.
The National Transportation Safety Bureau officials had not arrived at the scene as of 2:07 p.m. CA time.
Emergency officials quickly responded to where the smoking helicopter was in a grassy field.
Police and fire fighters were alerted to the crash at 9:27 a.m.and immediately descended upon the scene, trying to put the flames emitting from the helicopter out.
The watch commander at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lost Hills/Malibu station confirmed the crash was in the area of Las Virgenes Road and Willow Glen Street.
Eyewitnesses reportedly heard an engine sputtering before Bryant’s helicopter crashed.
Officials confirmed no one on board survived the crash.
Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Maria Onore, known as Gigi, reportedly was killed in the crash.
Kobe and his wife Vanessa, who was not on the helicopter, have four children together.
Bailey Brown, who works for Magic Johnson Enterprises, confirmed Bryant’s death to RadarOnline.com, saying with a trembling voice, “I have no words. He was a kind and loving and generous person. We all loved him so much. He was kind to everyone. I haven’t spoken to Vanessa.”
Hundreds of mourners descended upon the crash scene and the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles when the tragic news broke.
In his storied basketball career, Bryant won NBA championships with the Lakers five times—in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. After retiring from basketball, Bryant entered show business, winning an Oscar for his short Dear Basketball. He created another set of short films titled Canvas City featuring a purple puppet aka Little Mamba.
Former Lakers General Manager Jerry West spoke to KCBS News on Sunday and cried as he recalled Bryant. “He was the top of the food chain. Period,” West said in an emotional interview.
Scroll through the gallery for the tragic photos from Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash.
Alert
“Aircraft down,” the initial emergency communications reported via Broadcastify at 10:35 a.m. on Sunday after the crash was reported.
Initial Report
“No survivors,” the report claimed first thing after the crash.
The Lake Show
Bryant was regarded as one of the best basketball players after spending his entire 20-year career with the Lakers.
Tragic Details
“Helicopter down. Fire stopped, 5 fatalities reported,” the emergency messages said.
Crash Scene
“Fuselage on fire possibly contains magnesium,” the emergency report said about the crash that killed Bryant.
Fire
Smoke was billowing out of the ground from where Bryant’s helicopter crashed.
Shaq Speaks
“There are no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of loosing my niece Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW,” Shaquille O’Neal Tweeted on Sunday.
Tribute
Former Laker’s General Manager Jerry West told KCBS2 that Bryant, “played the game with a flair. He is bigger than life. And Kobe’s legacy, it will remain forever. His impact will remain forever.
True Words
“It is just God awful,” West said about the tragic loss.
Heartbreak
Kobe's sister Sharia Bryant told RadarOnline.com “no comment,” when reached via phone about the tragedy.
Family Man
Kobe and Vanessa shared four children together.