Leicester City Owner’s Helicopter Crashes
Ahelicopter belonging to Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha burst into flames after it crashed yards away from the King Power stadium after taking off from the pitch inside on Saturday night.
Witnesses reported seeing the Augusta Westland AW169 aircraft suffering engine trouble and spinning out of control shortly after it took off from the centre-circle. The condition of billionaire Mr Srivaddhanaprabha is not known, but he is believed to have been on board according to BT Sports pundits in the stadium who watched the helicopter take off. Srivaddhanaprabha made his money in retail in Thailand and his King Power shops are in every airport in the Asian country.
The sound of the helicopter crash could be heard on a BT Sport post-match broadcast and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is said to have witnessed the crash and broke down in tears.
Police and ambulance services were unable to provide any details as to whether there had been any causalities.
Fans were shell-shocked and some broke down in tears as the helicopter plummeted to the ground near the club’s staff car park at around 8.30pm on Saturday, shortly after Leicester’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. The £2million aircraft was spotted hovering over the south east corner of the ground before spluttering and spiraling to ground, near Filbert Way, and bursting into flames.
BT Sports cameras captured the moments leading up to the helicopter preparing for take-off as presenter Jake Humphreys seemed to confirm Srivaddhanaprabha was on board. Spectators at the game said they witnessed the helicopter spinning out of control and that there was a problem with the tail rotor of the aircraft.
One man, who wished not to be named, but has had a season ticket for over 40 years, told Sky News: ‘I saw Kasper Schmeichel run out first and then loads of security guards and stewards.
“I was stood outside the ground but it crashed on the other side. I hope everyone is OK.”
Former England legend Peter Shilton and his wife witnessed the carnage unfold.
His partner Stephanie, 50, said: “We are both in shock on our way home. It happened straight in front of us as we were leaving the ground.
“We don’t know what has happened. It’s horrendous. We need to know if everyone is OK. That’s the biggest thing. We just hope that everyone got out OK.” A reporter for Sky Sports News said people were ‘running for their lives’ in the aftermath of the crash. Rob Dorsett said: ‘The car park was certainly it was still populated with people at the time whether that was members of staff leaving the stadium or spectators watching the game. It’s so close to the stadium, a couple of hundred metres – if that – from the stands. “There has be to concern for people who are walking back to their cars or get buses back to the train station and any impact that would have.
“An eye-witness and his nephew ran for their lives, they were that concerned they were going to be hit by the wreckage of the helicopter. It burst into flames as it hit the ground. There has to be concerns for people in and around the area after the game.”