NBA legend Kobe Bryant has been killed in a helicopter crash along with his daughter and seven other people - as they reportedly headed to a children's basketball tournament.

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The 41-year-old, who played for the LA Lakers throughout his glittering 20-year career, died after the aircraft crashed on a steep hillside in thick fog.

Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people on board when the helicopter crashed on Sunday morning, about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Image: Bryant pictured with his daughter Gianna in Las Vegas in July last year

There were no survivors.


Other victims named so far include Orange Coast College head baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa - who played on the same basketball team as Bryant's daughter.

The girls' coach Christina Mauser also died, her husband confirmed.

A local reporter for CBS said the group were on their way to a basketball tournament.

Incredible sadness in So Cal & beyond over the loss of the Altobelli’s-onboard the chopper w #kobebryant. 13 yo Alyssa was a player on the Mambas. All 8 passengers were from #OrangeCounty headed to girls basketball tourney @cbsla #cbsla ⁦@orangecoast⁩ pic.twitter.com/L7sMzEew1G — michele gile (@CBSmichelegile) January 27, 2020

Fog in the area was so bad that the LA Police Department grounded its helicopters on Sunday morning, said the Los Angeles Times.

The crash site, near a residential area in Calabasas, was said to be "about the size of a football field".

The area's Twitter account said the helicopter went down in a field off Las Virgenes at around 10am local time.

Kobe in his own words

Gianna was one of four daughters Bryant had with wife Vanessa.

The teenager played basketball in the Los Angeles Lady Mamba team - part of a sports academy he founded.

His other daughters were Natalia, Bianka and Capri.

Orange Coast College paid tribute to its baseball coach, John Altobelli, 56, who died with his wife and daughter.

It said: "John meant so much to not only Orange Coast College, but to baseball. He truly personified what it means to be a baseball coach.

"The passion that he put into the game, but more importantly his athletes, was second to none - he treated them like family. Our deepest condolences go out to the Altobelli family during this time of tragedy."

Just watch this, Dad and daughter, barefoot, playing a game they loved. Nothing but everlasting peace for Gianna and Kobe. Please tell us it’s better, somehow, with wings up there. pic.twitter.com/6gOsO6vOqF — Dinn Mann (@mooseoutfront) January 26, 2020

The husband of basketball coach Christine Mauser posted on Facebook: "My kids and I are devastated.

"We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes they mean so much."

The Federal Aviation Authority said the aircraft was a Sikorsky S-76, but the cause of the accident is not yet known.

One witness said: "This news is so shocking.

"I heard a helicopter and it just sounded very loud, like it was flying too low, and then I heard a loud thud and then you just hear nothing like a helicopter passed over us first and then crashed, so I didn't hear the initial crash but I heard a helicopter flying too low".

NBA legend - Bryant's career highlights

Kurt Deetz, a pilot who used to fly Bryant, said bad weather was the most likely cause.

"The likelihood of a catastrophic twin engine failure on that aircraft - it just doesn't happen," he told the Los Angeles Times.

Image: Authorities say the helicopter came down in a remote field

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league had been left "devastated" by Bryant's death.

He said the five-time NBA championship winner, who also claimed 18 NBA All-Star selections and two Olympic gold medals, had "inspired people around the world to pick up a basketball".

Fans of the LA Lakers hero from across the worlds of sport, entertainment, politics and beyond have expressed their shock at Bryant's sudden passing.

Bryant, who was born in Philadelphia in 1978, was drafted at number 13 by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, but was immediately traded to the Lakers.

He went on to enjoy a trophy-laden two decades with the club and became one of the sport's most iconic figures.

Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all-time, has described Bryant as "one of the greats of the game and a creative force".

Image: Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan facing off in 1997

Following his retirement in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, the Lakers retired the shirt numbers he had worn during his career - eight and 24.

At a ceremony in December 2017, the then franchise president Magic Johnson said: "We're here to celebrate the greatest who has ever worn the purple and gold."

He tweeted on Sunday that "the game of basketball and our city will never be the same without Kobe".

Image: Bryant was a global superstar

Bryant's final tweet came on Saturday night, when current Lakers talisman LeBron James overtook him in the all-time scoring ranking during a match in Bryant's hometown of Philadelphia.

Bryant tweeted: "Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother."

James has yet to comment publicly on Bryant's death but was seen in tears as he arrived back at LA airport after the Lakers played in Philadelphia.

Jordan said in a statement: "I am in shock over the tragic news of Kobe's and Gianna's passing. Words can't describe the pain I'm feeling.

LeBron James in tears over Bryant death

"I loved Kobe - he was like a 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."

Bryant's former Lakers teammate, Shaquille O'Neal, was also devastated, tweeting: "There's no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant.

There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1 — SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020

Image: Fans gather near an image of Kobe Bryant shown on a large screen outside the Staples Center, LA

Image: Fans have flocked to the Staples Center in Los Angeles to pay their respects

Bryant's legend beyond basketball has been apparent in the huge number of tributes from outside the game.

US President Donald Trump tweeted to say Bryant's death was "terrible news".

He added in a later statement: "Kobe Bryant, despite being one of the truly great basketball players of all time, was just getting started in life. He loved his family so much, and had such strong passion for the future.

"The loss of his beautiful daughter, Gianna, makes this moment even more devastating. Melania and I send our warmest condolences to Vanessa and the wonderful Bryant family. May God be with you all!"

His predecessor Barack Obama described Bryant as a "legend on the court" - and said "to lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents".

Image: A basketball lies amid flowers at a makeshift shrine at the Staples Center in LA

Image: People gather near the scene, some clearly emotional after hearing the news about the crash

Image: Bryant was displayed on huge screens outside the Staples Center

People have gathered near the scene of the crash to mourn Bryant, as well as outside the Staples Center where he created so many memories for Lakers fans.

One wreath outside the arena read: "Kobe we love you RIP."

Some of those in the crowd dabbed tears as others laid flowers and basketball shoes at the wreath.

The tragedy overshadowed the Grammy Awards, which were held at the Staples Center on Sunday night.

Host Alicia Keys said: "We're all feeling crazy sadness right now. Because earlier today Los Angeles, America and the whole wide world lost a hero."