Four people have been identified in the helicopter crash that killed nine people on board, including basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna on Sunday.
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The group at the time of crash were flying to Thousand Oaks, California for a basketball game, where Gianna was expected to play and Bryant was expected to coach.
According to CNN, the police is yet to release the names of the people on board.
However, CNN reports that family members of some victims have confirmed their loved ones’ deaths.
Orange Coast College (OCC) baseball coach, John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa, were aboard the helicopter.
Altobelli‘s brother, Tony Altobelli confirmed that his brother and his family were aboard.
OCC assistant coach Ron La Ruffa told CNN that Gianna and Alyssa were teammates at the Mamba Academy, and Altobelli often flew with his daughter to attend the games.
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According to an OCC Pirate Athletics news release, Altobelli, 56, is survived by a son and daughter.
An OCC Athletics Director Jason Kehler in his statement said;
It’s hard to put into words what this loss means to the college and the athletics department. John was a tremendous coach and an even better friend. Beyond that, he was an amazing mentor to all of the students and athletes that he taught and coached. He treated them all like family and his impact will live on forever.
Also reported to be on the plane during the crash was Christina Mauser, an assistant girls’ basketball coach at a K-8 private school in Orange County.
Her husband, Matt Mauser, in a Facebook post wrote;
My kids and I are devastated,” her husband. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash. Please respect our privacy. Thank you for all the well wishes they mean so much.
On his part, the United States Representative, Harley E. Rouda of California called the loss of life ‘incalculable’.
He expressed that;
Today our neighbors lost parents, children, friends, coaches and heroes. Orange County is grieving, but we will find solace and purpose in the example they left behind.
Details of other victims on board is yet to be known.
