On Twitter, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that five people died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas and that there were no survivors, but did not disclose any further details.
However, Bryant's tragic death was confirmed by the City of Calabasas in a statement posted by their official Twitter account. "It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas," the statement said.Five 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.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 26, 2020
The sheriff's department explained that first responders came to put out the flames at the scene, posting a picture of a fire truck and smoke emerging from the brush in a ravine. Bryant was known to use a helicopter for travel since his tenure with the Lakers, when he was known to travel to games in a Sikorsky S-76 chopper, TMZ reported.Thousands took to social media to pay their respects and mourn the passing of one of the greatest basketball players of all time, including US President Donald Trump."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...." he tweeted.Taking to Twitter on board his flight to Washington to meet with Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences."I was sorry to hear about the tragedy in the US," he said, adding that it was "a sad day for all sports lovers in the world."It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Kobe Bryant and four others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas. 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.
— City of Calabasas (@CityofCalabasas) January 26, 2020
Likud MK Miki Zohar also expressed his shock, calling the news "difficult to digest.""He was a true basketball legend," he said of Bryant. "I watched hundreds of his games and saw him break records and drive the basketball world I love so much."It’s a very sad day for sports in general and basketball in particular."הצטערתי לשמוע על הטרגדיה בארה״ב, יום עצוב לכל אוהבי הספורט בעולם. קובי בריאנט, מגדולי הכדורסלנים בהיסטוריה, נהרג היום בהתרסקות מסוק בקלבסאס שבקליפורניה. הותיר אחריו אישה, ארבעה ילדים, ומיליוני חובבי כדורסל בעולם. לא יישכח. מי יתן שינוח על משכבו בשלום pic.twitter.com/Y5FGI5D6rZ
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) January 26, 2020
He is survived by his wife, Vanessa.איזו טרגדיה. איזה אסון.קשה לעכל שקובי בריאנט ו 4 בנותיו נהרגו היום.הוא היה אגדת כדורסל אמיתית, צפיתי במאות משחקים שלו וראיתי אותו שובר שיאים ומטריף את עולם הכדורסל שאני כל כך אוהב.יש לו חלק גדול בכך שהתאהבנו במשחק הזה.זה יום עצוב מאוד לספורט בכלל ולכדורסל בפרט. פשוט עצוב.
— Miki Zohar מיקי זוהר (@zoharm7) January 26, 2020