Nosipho Gumede

The world mourns the tragic loss of LA Lakers hall of famer and US Basketball legend, Kobe Bryant along with his daughter Gianna who died in a helicopter crash yesterday.

Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California. Chief Daryl Osby of the Los Angeles County Fire Department says there were no survivors.

Tributes continue to pour in for Bryant and his family and for the other families who also lost their loved ones in the crash. At the Grammys which were held at the Staples Centre in LA – the Lakers’ home stadium and where Bryant spent the large majority of his career- celebrities such as Alicia keys and Boys to Men amongst others, paid their tributes in song.

The reason for the crash is yet to be discovered but investigations are underway, although Bryant’s former pilot said the Helicopter that crashed had a good safety record.

Dr Jonathan Lucas, the County of Los Angeles’s chief medical examiner, warned that it may take a few days to complete their recovery from the site.

Condolences from celebrities and fans from all over the world came in for Bryant’s wife Vanessa and their other daughters.

Famous Basketball player, Dwayne Wade, was one of the first basketball stars to react to the news with a tweet simply saying “No, God please No!”

“Today is one of the saddest days in my lifetime,” said Wade in his Instagram story.

“Kobe, thank you, man. Thank you for all the memories.”