Investigators have released drone footage of the site where the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant crashed in the city of Calabasas.
The NBA legend died along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianni and seven other people on board when the helicopter came down on Sunday morning, and investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the crash.
The footage, released by the United States’ National Transportation Safety Board, shows the wreckage left behind in a mountainous area just outside Calabasas, with members of the NTSB hard at work trying to establish what went wrong with the vehicle.
One of the wheels of the helicopter is visible, as well as what appears to be part of one of the doors, but the rest of the remains are charred and destroyed.
(Image: TWITTER @DavidBegnaud)
It is believed that investigators are currently focusing on the weather conditions, trying to establish whether the foggy conditions were the cause behind the tragic incident, or whether they may have been a mechanical fault with the aircraft.
(Image: TWITTER@DavidBegnaud)
It is known that the pilot of the helicopter asked air traffic controllers for a special clearance to fly in less than optimal weather, and that it circled in the air for 12 minutes before being given permission to move on.
Tributes continue to pour in for Bryant, who is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players of all time.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic who was close friends with Bryant, is the latest leading figure to pay his respects, and he broke down in an interview following his Australian Open quarter-final win against Milos Raonic.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“I don’t know what we could say. It really caught us by surprise,” Djokovic said.
“He was one of the greatest athletes of all time, he inspired myself and many other people around the world. I had that fortune to have a personal relationship with him over the last 10 years.
“When I needed some advice and support, he was there for me. He was my mentor, my friend, it’s just heartbreaking to see what has happened to him and his daughter. It’s unbelievable.”
