The 911 call detailing the moments before and after Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash has been released. The calls confirm that Bryant's helicopter was flying in thick clouds before it crashed, killing the NBA icon, his daughter and seven others. One witness told a dispatcher, “I just heard a helicopter go over me approximately from Lost Hills Road on a south to easterly sweep. It went over my head. It’s thick in clouds. And then I just, I heard a pop, and it immediately stopped.” He added, “That part of the top of the mountain is obstructed in clouds.”
He added, “It came right over me. I was just thinking to myself, if this guy doesn't have night vision, I mean, he was completely, he's completely IFR, instrument flight rules. He’s flying, and he’s got no visual.”
Another man was standing outside of a grocery store when called 911. He said, “A helicopter crashed into a mountain. We heard it. And now I’m looking at the flames. We’re looking at the flames right now on the hill.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the devastating crash and expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days.
THE REMAINS OF KOBE AND GIANNA BRYANT RELEASED TO THEIR FAMILY
In related news, a week after their passing, the remains of Kobe and Gianna Bryant have been released to their family. According to Extra TV, the bodies were released by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office on Saturday (February 1st). Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti revealed that funeral arrangements could come together very soon.
He said, “We don’t have that date finalized, but we’ve been talking every day to the Lakers, and most importantly, to (Bryant’s widow, Vanessa) as well.”
TMZ reported that a memorial could take place at the Coliseum in downtown Los Angeles to accommodate a large number of people.