Tributes are being paid to former basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who have died in a helicopter crash.
Nine people were killed in total when the private aircraft came down in bad weather in Calabasas in California yesterday morning.
The crash site's been described as 'about the size of a football field' and officials say the recovery of bodies may take some time.
LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas said an investigation into the crash will be carried out, but confirmed that there were eight passengers on the helicopter along with the pilot.
Gianna was one of four daughters Bryant shared with his wife Vanessa.
President Donald Trump is leading the tributes:
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
Kobe was so much more than an athlete, he was a family man. That was what we had most in common. I would hug his children like they were my own and he would embrace my kids like they were his. His baby girl Gigi was born on the same day as my youngest daughter Me’Arah. pic.twitter.com/BHBPN5Wq8V
— SHAQ.SOL (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
New Yorkers have honored the NBA legend by renaming a subway stop 'Kobe Bryant Park
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Kobe Bryant pic.twitter.com/P88GwIwmYV
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2020
My friend, a legend, husband, father, son, brother, Oscar winner and greatest Laker of all-time is gone. It’s hard to accept. Kobe was a leader of our game, a mentor to both male and female players. pic.twitter.com/NXsrXmCkkG
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020
Most people will remember Kobe as the magnificent athlete who inspired a whole generation of basketball players. But I will always remember him as a man who was much more than an athlete. pic.twitter.com/9EZuwk8wrV
— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 26, 2020
