The 41-year-old was travelling in a helicopter that crashed in a remote field in Calabasas at 10am local time, about 40 miles (65km) northwest of central Los Angeles. Bryant was travelling with eight other people, including his daughter Gianna, when his private helicopter went down - none of whom survived. A teammate from Bryant's daughter's basketball team, a parent of the teammate, and the pilot were also killed, NBC News reported.

Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save anyone that was on board with nine people now confirmed dead. It is understood his Byant's wife Vanessa was not on board. The cause of the helicopter crash is now under investigation. The nine people have now been named as: Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester and Ara Zobayan (pilot). The Los Angeles County Sheriff said emergency services put out the flames at the crash site, posting a picture of a fire engine and smoke emerging from the brush in a ravine. The City of Calabasas confirmed Bryant's death. In a statement they said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. LeBron James breaks down in tears after hearing of Kobe Bryant's death

Full list of confirmed fatalities from Kobe Bryant crash Kobe Bryant Gianna Bryant John Altobelli Keri Altobelli Alyssa Altobelli Christina Mauser Sarah Chester Payton Chester Ara Zobayan (pilot)

Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash

Kobe Bryant dead: Smoke rises from the scene of a helicopter crash

“The aircraft went down in a remote field off Las Virgenes around 10:00 this morning. “Nobody on the ground was hurt. The FAA and NTSB are investigating.” LA County sheriffs also tweeted later to confirm it was in fact nine people who were killed rather than the five initially reported: “Nine people confirmed deceased, no survivors in #Calabasas helicopter crash. #LASD #Malibu deputies remain with #LA County Fire personnel. Investigation ongoing. “Avoid the area until further notice.” READ MORE: Sporting world pays tribute to Kobe Bryant after tragic helicopter crash

Kobe Bryant dead: People watch as smoke rises from the crash scene

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement: "This is a moment that leaves us struggling to find words that express the magnitude of shock and sorrow we are all feeling right now, and I am keeping Kobe's entire family in my prayers at this time of unimaginable grief." The US Federal Aviation Administration identified the crashed helicopter as a Sikorsky S-76, saying in a statement that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board would investigate. Kobe Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died in the crash as they were travelling to the Mamba Academy for basketball training when their helicopter went down. The academy is near Thousand Oaks in California. It has now emerged the pilot was warned he was flying too low and the LAPD have said the conditions were unsuitable for flying due to fog. DON'T MISS

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Kobe Bryant dead: Emergency services rushed to the crash site

Kobe Bryant dead: The scene of the helicopter crash

Bryant famously used a private helicopter for travel dating back to his days as a star player for the LA Lakers basketball team, when he commuted to games throughout the US in a Sikorsky S-76 chopper, celebrity news website TMZ said. The NBA legend is survived by his wife Vanessa, and three of their daughters - Natalia and Bianca and newborn Capri. Bryant is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was an 18-time All-Star and was named in the All-NBA Team on 15 occasions. Bryant was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2005 and racked up 1,346 regular season career appearances between 1996 and 2016.

Kobe Bryant dead: People gather around a makeshift memorial in front of Staples Center in Los Angeles

The Lakers legend helped his side to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002 and continued to rank among the top players across the league until knee and shoulder injuries forced his retirement at the end of the 2015/16 season. Bryant was the youngster player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points, hitting the milestone aged 34 years and 104 days.



He surpassed Jerry West as the Lakers’ all-time leading points scorer in February 2010 and has the joint-most All-Star MVP awards – tied with Bob Pettit on four.



Bryant also won Olympic gold medals as a member of the US National team at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.



Bryant also achieved success off the court with his film ‘ Dear Basketball’ winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Kobe Bryant career in numbers 5 - The number of NBA titles he won. 33,643 - The number of regular-season points he scored. The fourth-highest in history. 5640 - The number of post-season points he scored. 8378 - The number of three-pointers he scored. 1346 - The number of NBA games he played. 20 - Seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the most with one team in NBA history. 13 - Where Bryant was selected in the NBA draft. 24 - His jersey number from 2006 onwards, before which he wore the number eight. 15 - The number of All-Star game appearances he made. 81 - the career-high points total he scored against Toronto in 2006. 2 - Olympic Gold medals (2008, 2012). 4 - All-Star MVP Awards (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history. 17 - The number of NBA player-of-the-month awards he won. 32 - The number of NBA player-of-the-week awards he won.

Kobe Bryant dead: The Lakers legend has passed away after a helicopter crash

On Saturday night Bryant congratulated current Lakers star LeBron James for becoming the NBA’s third-highest scorer of all-time. He tweeted: "Continuing to move the game forward. Much respect my brother." And James also said he was happy to be in the same conversation as Bryant. "I'm happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bryant," said James. "One of the all-time greatest basketball players to ever play, one of the all-time greatest Lakers. "The man's got two jerseys hanging up in Staples Center. It's just crazy."

Kobe Bryant has tragically died in a helicopter crash

Tributes have come pouring in for Bryant since the news broke of his tragic death. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement: “The NBA family is devastated by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning. He was one of the most extraordinary players in the history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Stars selections, and two Olympic gold medals. “But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around the world to pick up a basketball and compete to the very best of their ability. “He was generous with the wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his live of the game to Gianna. “We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Vanessa, and their family, the Lakers organisation and the entire sports world.”

“NO NO NO NO KOBE!!!!!!! PLEASE BE A DREAM. KOBE CAN’T BE GONE,” former NFL star Shannon Sharpe tweeted. “Oh no. How awful,” tweeted former Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker. “One of the greatest sportsmen of our lifetime. Utterly tragic.” “Horrible!!!!” tweeted UFC president Dana White. “RIP my man.” UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling tweeted: “RIP to a real leader and motivator #KobeBryant.” Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant tweeted: “This one hurt. Not my guy. Numb.” Tennis legend Rafael Nadal said on Twitter: ""I woke up this morning with the horrible news of the tragic death of one of the greatest sportsman in the world. "Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and other passengers. My condolences to his wife and families. I am in shock."

Iconic former basketballer Michael Jordan said in a statement: "Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling. I loved Kobe - he was like a little brother to me. "We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force. "Kobe was also an amazing dad who loved his family deeply - and took great pride in his daughter's love for the game of basketball. "Yvette joins me in sending my deepest condolences to Vanessa, the Lakers organisation and basketball fans around the world." Barack Obama called the basketball star a "legend on the court" as he and wife Michelle sent their condolences to Bryant’s family. The former US President tweeted: "Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a 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." Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky tweeted: "Janet and I have no words to describe our shock and sadness on the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant today. Praying for him and his family.”

Kobe and his daughter Gianna both passed away in the crash

Kobe has two jerseys retired at Staples Center - the No 8 and the No 24 - and the Dallas Mavericks have announced they will also retire the latter as a tribute. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a statement: "We are shocked and saddened by the devastating news of the passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. "Kobe was an ambassador for our game, a decorated legend and a global icon. Above all, he was a loving and dedicated father. "Kobe's legacy transcends basketball, and our organisation has decided that the number 24 will never again be worn by a Dallas Maverick. "Our hearts go out to all the lives lost and the families impacted by this terrible tragedy. We send our thoughts and prayers to Vanessa and the family, the Lakers organisation and Kobe Bryant fans everywhere."

Kobe Bryant is among the highest points scorers in NBA history

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