Tributes left after crash of helicopter at stadium
FLOWERS are being laid at the King Power Stadium after the helicopter used by Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed in flames near the football ground.
Last night the club confirmed that the owner was among those to have lost their lives on Saturday evening. None of the five people on board survived.
A club statement 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.
“In Khun Vichai, the world has lost a great man. A man of kindness, of generosity and a man whose life was defined by the love he devoted to his family and those he so successfully led. Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the club that is now his legacy.
“A book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday for supporters wishing to pay their respects.
“Supporters unable to visit King Power Stadium that wish to leave a message can do so through an online book of condolence, which will be made available via lcfc.com in due course.
“Both Tuesday’s first team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the development squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed.
“Everyone at the club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time.”
The air accident watchdog has launched an investigation into why the aircraft fell to earth in a car park near the stadium a few hours after Leicester drew 1-1 with West Ham.
Witnesses said the helicopter seemed to spiral out of control moments after it set off from Leicester’s King Power Stadium at about 8.30pm on Saturday and plummeted into the car park.
The club’s owner is known for arriving and leaving the stadium in his helicopter at home games.
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.
Former England and Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson hailed “very, very generous” Mr Srivaddhanaprabha and the “incredible” impact he has had on the club.
Mr Eriksson was the first manager to be hired by the Thai billionaire after he took charge of the club in 2010. And the Swede told BBC Radio Five Live: “It’s frightening news. I knew the whole family and the father.
“When you know him, as I did, you knew he’s a very, very generous man to the players, the staff and people working for him – with the fans and the community. He’s an extremely generous man.”
Bouquets, flags and football shirts were left outside the ground by members of the public on Sunday morning. Self-made Thai billionaire Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was highly thought of in the city after he bought the Foxes for £39 million in 2010.