Details have emerged of attempts to rescue the victims of the helicopter crash that caused the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant at the age of 41.
Bryant, who enjoyed a glittering 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, was travelling in his private helicopter when it crashed in Calabasas on Sunday morning.
A statement from Los Angeles County Fire Department said they responded to a 911 call that came in at 9.47am local time regarding a helicopter crash and fire in Calabasas.
In total, 56 personnel including paramedics and hand crews were sent to the site and discovered that about a quarter acre of the mountain was on fire as a result of the crash.
According to the account, a team of firefighters had to hike to the accident site while negotiating a big field of debris and steep terrain.
(Image: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
They were equipped with medical equipment and hoses, but the fire proved particularly dangerous and difficult to put out due to magnesium contained within.
A helicopter also flew to the incident and paramedics were hoisted down before starting a search for survivors before it was soon determined that all those on board had died.
Nine people, including Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, have been confirmed dead as a result of the crash which is now under investigation.
Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, 56, his daughter Alyssa Altobelli and wife Keri Altobelli were also among those who died, Altobelli’s brother Tony Altobelli told CNN.
Gianna and Alyssa were teammates at the Mamba Academy and were flying from Orange County to Thousand Oaks to attend a game, OCC assistant coach Ron La Ruffa told CNN.
A statement from the police added: “We have manifest that indicates there were nine people on board the aircraft – the pilot plus eight individuals.
“There is wide speculation who the identities are, however it would be entirely inappropriate right now to identify anyone by name until the coroner has made the identification through their very deliberative process and then made notifications to their next of kin.
“We are assisting the families of those who believe they have been impacted.”
Bryant regularly used his Sikorsky S-76 helicopter to travel to and from matches at the Staples Center for years.
His wife Vanessa is not believed to have been involved in the accident.
The pair share three other daughters, Natalia and Bianca and their newborn Capri.
