Tributes pour in for Leicester’s Vichai
PRINCE WILLIAM LEADS CONDOLENCES AFTER TRAGEDY
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Leicester City’s Thai billionaire boss was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed and burst into flames in the Premier League side’s stadium car park moments after taking off from the pitch.
A stream of fans already fearing the worst had laid out flowers, football scarves and Buddhist prayers outside the club’s King Power stadium after Saturday’s accident in tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha — the man they credit for an against-allodds Premier League victory in 2016. “The world has lost a great man,” the club said in a statement.
“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,” it said.
A book of condolence will be opened at the stadium from today and the team has postponed its upcoming League Cup fixture against Southampton.
“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 statement said.
Prince William offered his condolences to Vichai’s family.
William says his “thoughts today are with the family and friends of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and all the victims” in the helicopter.
Police named the four other victims as Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, two members of Vichai’s staff, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
Vichai, the owner of Thailand’s King Power duty-free empire, was a regular at matches who used to fly to and from home games. The blue chopper took off from the middle of the pitch once the stadium had emptied after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
Vichai’s wife and son laid a floral tribute outside the stadium yesterday and the Leicester team players and staff later visited the growing memorial.
Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is Vice-Chairman of Leicester, the 2016 Premier League champions. It was his first appearance along with his mother, Aimon, since the crash. Authorities say a digital flight data recorder has been recovered from the helicopter and is being examined.
A book of condolence will be opened at the stadium from today and the team has postponed its next fixture against Southampton.