Kobe Bryant fatal helicopter crash - 29 January 2020

NBA legend Kobe Bryant met a tragic and untimely end on Sunday when his private helicopter crashed into a hillside in Los Angeles, California and was engulfed in flames. Brought down in foggy conditions, the wreckage claimed the lives of its one crew member and eight passengers - Bryant and his 13 year old daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant were among the victims.

Aged just 41 and with a remarkable, 20 year long basketball career behind him, Bryant embodied the image of the American athlete. Never having left the Los Angeles Lakers, his career was marked by a dedication to the team. The five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist retired gracefully in 2016.

Also finding success beyond the court, Kobe Bryant's animated short film 'Dear Basketball', a heartfelt address to the sport which had inspired him and brought him fame and fortune, won him an Oscar in 2018.

Bryant's sudden death has been met with disbelief and has sent shockwaves around the world. Fellow stars, celebrities and loyal fans are deeply saddened by the news, with some gathering near the site of the crash.

Daniel Luchy, local resident: "There was plumes of smoke going up and you could see that there were already emergency personnel at the crash scene."

Chris Martin, local resident: "So I'm a pilot and I was scheduled to fly this morning and the conditions were 400 feet overcast, a half-mile visibility, mist and fog. It wasn't a condition that you'd want to fly in."