Tributes from William and PM to club owner

The Duke of Cambridge has praised Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s “big contribution to football” after the billionaire duty-free entrepreneur was killed in a helicopter crash outside the club’s King Power Stadium on Saturday.

William, president of the Football Association and a keen football fan, said he was “lucky” to have known Mr Srivaddhanaprabha “for several years” as tributes continued to flood in for the Thai businessman and the four other victims.

He joined Prime Minister Theresa May in sending his thoughts to the victims’ families, friends and the supporters.

Police said Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was killed along with two staff members, the pilot and a passenger when the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

The four others are believed to be Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

The air accident watchdog is carrying out an investigation into what caused the aircraft to crash in a car park near the stadium a few hours after the Foxes drew 1-1 with West Ham.

Hundreds of tributes were left outside the ground on Sunday by mourners, with more messages flooding in through social media. A book of condolence will be set up at the ground today.

Leicester’s EFL Cup tie against Southampton and the development squad’s match against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup tomorrow have been postponed.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch is leading the investigation into how the Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter crashed.

It is believed to be the first accident involving an AW169 aircraft.

Picture: PA. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s son Aiyawatt and his mother Aimon lay a wreath at the ground.