A helicopter crash has killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant died at the age of 41 on January 26, along with eight other people, one of whom was his own daughter, Gianna.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna were reportedly on their way to the Mamba Academy for basketball practice in Thousand Oaks when the incident occurred. Now the identities of the other victims have been made public by Reuters.
Take a look at this news report about the tragic accident:The other victims are reported to be John Altobelli, a baseball coach at Orange Coast College, his wife Keri and their teenage daughter Alyssa, basketball coach Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton Chester, and pilot Ara Zobayan.
Tributes written by friends and family of the dead have now poured in on social media. Jared Yochim, a friend of Zobayan, wrote on Facebook, writing: "The pilot flying Kobe and crew today was my friend Ara Zobayan (white shirt and tie). Many of my friends were actually friends with Ara and not just pilots."
He continued: "He was not your typical egotistical helicopter pilot like most of us honestly are. Ara was a man that always remained cool, calm and collected. As more people that knew Ara open up about him, you'll only hear words like professional, calculated and loving."
He added: "He was always good for a laugh. The loss is not mine, but a community really. Ara impacted so many people and only in a positive way. I'm sorry that you never got to meet him. You would've loved him, I promise."
Per The Daily Mail, athletic director of Orange Coast College Jason Kehler stated: "John [Altobelli] meant so much to not only Orange Coast College, but to baseball."
Kehler added: "He truly personified what it means to be a baseball coach. The passion that he put into the game, but more importantly his athletes, was second to none - he treated them like family."
Meanwhile, Christina Mauser's husband Matt Mauser, wrote in a Facebook post: "My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash."
The principal of Harbor View Elementary Todd Schmidt paid tribute to Sarah and Payton, writing: "As folks mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant, I want to take a moment to remember two gorgeous human beings who were with him, Sarah and Payton Chester."
He continued: "This family made such a huge impact at Harbor View...they were genuine, kind-hearted, and caring...to the staff, to other families...and yes, especially to me. While the world mourns the loss of a dynamic athlete and humanitarian, I mourn the loss of two people just as important...their impact was just as meaningful, their loss will be just as keenly felt, and our hearts are just as broken."
He added: "You were both the embodiment of #hvepride, and the world is just a little less without you both in it. May you both Rest In Peace and know the deep impact you had on our lives. You will be so sorely missed."
Police authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the crash, but no details about the cause of the catastrophe have yet been revealed.