Club owner was one of 5 killed in helicopter horror

THE owner of Leicester City and four other people have been confirmed dead following a horror helicopter crash.

Thai businessman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60 (pictured), was on board the aircraft when it span out of control outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium on Saturday night.

Billionaire Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who also owned a Belgian club, regularly travelled from home games in his helicopter, usually taking off from the centre circle around 30 minutes after full time.

Leicestershire Police said the others who died in the crash were Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, who were members of Srivaddhanaprabha’s staff, as well as pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

In a statement the club have said: “The primary thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on board at this time of unspeakable loss.”

The crash came after Leicester drew 1-1 in a Premier League clash with West Ham United.

Witnesses described the helicopter appearing to spin out of control seconds after taking off at around 8.30pm.

The aircraft managed to clear the stadium but ditched into a club car park before bursting into flames.

Some witnesses described the rear propeller failing, causing the helicopter to spin. Leicester fire crews battled the blaze with help from Leicestershire Police, but the impact was unsurvivable.

The tragedy is being described as the “darkest day” in the club’s history, and mourners began laying wreaths near the stadium on Sunday morning.

Small bouquets were left outside the ground by members of the public alongside a large image of the Hindu god Ganesh which was also propped up in amidst the flowers.

Self-made Thai billionaire Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was very highly thought of in the city after he bought the Foxes for £39 million in 2010, and became chairman the following February.

Under his ownership the club rose out of the Championship and eventually won the Premier League for the first time in its history in 2015-16, defying odds of 5,000-1.

The 60-year-old was also praised for his charity work, donating £2 million towards a new children’s hospital.

Leicestershire Police has said the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) will now be leading the investigation.