Sports icons mourn death of US basketball player Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles/IBNS/Sputnik/UNI: Several global sports icons have mourned the death of 41-year old US basketball player Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has confirmed that nine individuals were on board the helicopter that crashed on Sunday in Calabasas, California.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has confirmed that the crash claimed the life of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore.
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal tweeted, "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."
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.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 27, 2020
Russian tennis icon Maria Sharapova tweeted, "Kobe and Gigi This is incredibly difficult to process. I will never forget your generosity, and the time you set aside in some of my most difficult moments. I am forever grateful. My heart is with you and your beautiful family."
Kobe and Gigi💔 This is incredibly difficult to process. I will never forget your generosity, and the time you set aside in some of my most difficult moments. I am forever grateful. My heart is with you and your beautiful family. pic.twitter.com/rnGI8o1p5L
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) January 26, 2020
Portugal football star Cristiano Ronaldo tweeted, "So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend"
So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend💔 pic.twitter.com/qKb3oiDHxH
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 26, 2020
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, "Saddened to hear about the tragic demise of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna & others on-board the helicopter.
My condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world."
Saddened to hear about the tragic demise of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna & others on-board the helicopter.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 27, 2020
My condolences to his family, friends and fans across the world. #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/N8B4Tcr4KU
The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was transporting the Bryants and other people on board to a basketball game.
On board the ill-fated helicopter was Orange Coast College (OCC) baseball coach John Altobelli, 56, as well as his wife Keri Altobelli and daughter Alyssa Altobelli, Altobelli’s brother Tony Altobelli told CNN on Sunday.
(Image Credit: Kobe Bryant Twitter)
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