Published 07:11 IST, January 27th 2020

US President Donald Trump, his family, offers condolences over Kobe Bryant's death

US President Donald Trump offered his condolences and expressed grief over the death of legendary American basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter

Follow: Google News Icon
  • share
null | Image: self
Advertisement

US President Donald Trump offered his condolences and expressed grief over death of legendary American basketball player Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna in a helicopter crash on Monday. Bryant, 41, who spent 20 years with basketball team Lakers, was killed when helicopter he was traveling in crashed and burst into flames Monday morning amid foggy conditions in hills above Calabasas, 48 km rth-west of Los Angeles.

Donald Trump's tweet

READ | Kobe Bryant's Daughter Gianna Bryant Also Killed In Devastating Helicopter Crash: Report

Advertisement

Trump family expresses grief

Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump also offered her condolences. So did his wife and First Lady of US, Melania Trump.

READ | Kobe Bryant Dead: NBA And Lakers Legend Killed In Tragic California Helicopter Crash

Advertisement

Nine on-board, survivors feared

It was reported that or than Bryant and his daughter, helicopter was ferrying seven or people.  crash ignited brushfires, making it hard for rescue crews to get close to site.  Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he would t confirm who had died until all next of kin have been tified. Bryant’s death stunned Los Angeles and sports world, which mourned one of basketball’s greatest players. Sources said helicopter took off from Orange County, where Bryant lived.

“Our firefighters hiked into accident site with ir medical equipment and hose lines to extinguish stubborn fire as it included brush fire … and helicopter,” LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said during a news conference. “ fire also included magnesium, which is very hard for firefighters to extinguish because magnesium reacts with oxygen and water.”

READ | Kobe Bryant Names 3 WNBA Players Capable Of Succeeding In NBA Currently

Advertisement

National Basketball Association issues statement

“ NBA family is devastated by tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible when remarkable talent blends with absolute devotion to winning. He was one of most extraordinary players in history of our game with accomplishments that are legendary: five NBA championships, an NBA MVP award, 18 NBA All-Star selections, and two Olympic gold medals. But he will be remembered most for inspiring people around world to pick up a basketball and compete to very best of ir ability."

Silver added, “He was generous with wisdom he acquired and saw it as his mission to share it with future generations of players, taking special delight in passing down his love of game to Gianna.”

READ | Stephen Curry Leaves Out LeBron James And Kobe Bryant In His All-time NBA Legends Line-up

Advertisement

07:11 IST, January 27th 2020