Tragedy struck on Sunday, January 26th when a helicopter crash lead to the death of retired superstar basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant. The two were on their way to a youth basketball game with other players and parents. The reason for the crash is still under investigation, but there are reports of heavy fog on the morning of the accident. The helicopter departed John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9:06 a.m., and the 911 call reporting the crash was made at 9:47 a.m. Kobe Bryant was 41, and his daughter was 13. Kobe has been retired from basketball since 2016 where he originally played for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was regarded as one of the best players in Lakers’ history if not the entire league. Other victims of the crash that have been identified are John Altobelli, an Orange Coast College baseball coaching legend, his wife, and their daughter, Alyssa. 

This crash is a horrible and unfortunate catastrophe. Kobe should have been enjoying retirement with his family, and his daughter still had her whole life ahead of her. Kobe was seen as one of the best basketball players of all time. The Lakers team heard the news of Bryant’s death while returning on a flight from Philadelphia. “Everyone is in shock,” says a team source after hearing about the fatal plane crash. Many of his former teammates and celebrity friends have issued statements in memory of the superstar.  Kobe Bryant will be remembered not just by basketball fans but by all who enjoy sports. 

Sources:

ESPN

Image courtesy of businessinsider.com