Fans lead tributes to a ‘gentleman’ owner
Britain
The Thai billionaire owner of Leicester City was hailed as ‘‘a true gentleman’’ by fans who gathered at the club’s stadium following Saturday night’s fatal helicopter crash.
Hundreds of fans gathered at the King Power Stadium yesterday to lay floral tributes, football shirts and scarves, in honour of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Srivaddhanaprabha was last seen getting on to his Agustawestland AW109, which had landed as usual on the pitch following the 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
Shortly after it took off at about 8.38pm, the helicopter was seen spiralling towards the ground before crashing in a huge fireball in a staff car park about 220m from the stadium.
Witnesses told investigators that the rear rotor came to a halt as it nosedived, but police, firefighters and air accident officials warned it could take days to determine what happened.
Five people are understood to have been on board, although last night Leicestershire Police had yet to confirm their identities or whether there were any survivors. Sources at the club confirmed that there were no casualties on the ground.
The pilot has been praised for apparently diverting the ‘‘spinning’’ helicopter away from any crowds. Sky Sports News cameraman Dan Cox said: ‘‘I don’t know how the pilot did it but he seemed to manage to slow down the spinning rotation and it drifted off into the corner part of the car park.’’
Andrew Wilson, 54, a season ticketholder whose partner works for Leicester City, said: ‘‘It had crashed between the two staff car parks. I don’t know if the pilot needs some recognition for that. He’s brought it down and it’s either fate or an act of bravery.’’
The helicopter, built in Italy, is said to have a good safety record.
Pilot error was blamed when a similar model struck a crane attached to St George Wharf Tower, in Vauxhall, south London, in January 2013.
Leicester fans began gathering at the ground early on Sunday, some still holding out hope of ‘‘a miracle’’. Mahesh Daji, 56, a season ticketholder, was among the first to pay his respects.
‘‘We are just hoping a miracle can happen like in 2016 and that they are OK, but we are just dreading the worst,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m in tears now.’’
Many who paid their respects mentioned the personal touches the 61-year-old owner was famous for, such as handing out cake to fans on his birthday.
He was also known in the city for his charitable acts, such as donating £2 million for a new children’s hospital.