Kobe and Gianna Bryant killed in helicopter crash

LOS ANGELES- A state of shock resonated on Sunday, at the news of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, along with two other passengers, dying in a helicopter crash in Calabasas.

According to TMZ who broke the news at around 2:30 PM Eastern Standard time, Bryant and 3 other people were traveling in his private helicopter when it went down. 

Reports from emergency personnel on the scene confirmed that there were no survivors.

Within minutes of the announcement, posts of concern and prayers filled Twitters feed. 

“There are no words to express the pain I’m going through with this tragedy of losing my niece Gigi & my brother @KobeBryant. I love u and u will be missed…” -@Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal).

“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been a meaningful second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.” -@BarakObama (Barack Obama).

As details of the tragedy unfolded, The NBA announced that all games for the day would continue as planned. NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, released a statement not along after.

“The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, “ Silver said. 

The statement continues acknowledging Bryant’s achievements both as an athlete and a humanitarian.

Updates poured in from different sources. By late Sunday evening, 5:21 eastern standard time, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department held a press conference announcing that there were nine passengers on the ill fated flight; invalidating TMZ’s initial report.  

The National Transportation Safety Board chimed in on how the investigation will continue.

“On behalf of the NTSB I’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to those who lost loved ones in this tragic event,” said NTSB board member, Jennifer Homendy. “In total we’ll have a team of 18 who will  be investigating the accident with expertise in operations human performance, air worthiness, structures and power plants.”

According to Homendy, Bryant’s helicopter crashed around 9:47 AM, Pacific standard time in Calabasas California. 

TMZ has been criticized for breaking the news before the Calabasas authorities were able to inform the family. 

Kobe Bryant was an 18-time All-Star and a 15-time member of the All NBA Team. In 2008 he was NBA’s Most Valuable Player and was widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time. 

We at Xhale Radio would like to send our warm regards and condolences to his family and the families of everyone who was lost in the crash.