FOOTBALL HELICOPTER IN FIREBALL HORROR
leicester city Owner’s chopper crashes in STADIUM car park:
Ahelicopter used by the owner of Leicester City crashed in a horrific fireball last night after the club’s match with West Ham.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, inset, a Thai businessman, uses the helicopter to travel to and from matches, taking off from the centre circle, but it was not known if he was on board when it crashed.
The aircraft fell from the sky and crashed into the ground’s car park minutes after taking off from the pitch. Details of how many people had been hurt or killed were still emerging last night.
But it is feared the helicopter had been carrying club chairman, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, 60.
It is unclear if there were any survivors of the crash which happened an hour after the final whistle of the home draw with West Ham United. There was confusion outside as security personnel attempted to steer fans away from the crash scene. Witnesses were in clear distress and Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester’s goalkeeper, was seen in tears. Srivaddhanaprabha is the billionaire owner of the Thai duty free company King Power.
He bought the east Midlands club in 2010, and is normally flown back to London after games. The backing of the Thai businessman, 60, helped Leicester win the Premier League title in 2016.
Pictures show the helicopter ablaze, with flames shooting high into the sky as emergency services rushed to the scene. Witnesses said the helicopter crashed seconds after taking off from the pitch, crashing into car park E, where the club’s staff park their vehicles.
Leicestershire police said: “We are dealing with an incident in the vicinity of the King Power Stadium. Emergency services are aware and dealing.”
There were unconfirmed reports the accident was a result of a faulty propeller.
The helicopter usually carries up to six people, but last night there were no confirmed details of who was on board.
One witness said: “The helicopter was hovering near the stadium roof after taking off and then it started to come down.
“There was flames everywhere, it was horrible to see it happen in front of us.”
Tim Acott, a Leicester season ticket holder of 40 years, said: “It just came out of the stadium already spinning then down to the ground. Just in a spiral.
“It hit the ground with a big bang then burst into flames.
“It’s over on the other side of the car park, I don’t think there were people there.
“I’m shaking like anything.”