sports: Report: Kobe Bryant Dies In California Helicopter Crash

Kobe Bryant has reportedly died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. He was 41.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday morning. He was 41 years old.

TMZ was the first to

report that Bryant was among those on the helicopter when it went down in the hills of Calabasas and a fire broke out. The crash occurred before 10 a.m. and the fire made it difficult for firefighters and emergency personnel to get to the aircraft, according to The Los Angeles Times.

ESPN, ABC and Variety also confirmed Bryant was on the helicopter.

The 18–time All-Star and 11-time All-NBA first Team led the Lakers to five NBA championships and scored 33,643 points in his 20-year NBA career. He retired from the Lakers after the 2015-16 season after spending his entire career with the franchise.

Bryant is survived by his wife, Vanessa and his children Gianna, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.