Owner’s widow and son lay wreath at centre spot

FANS, family and players stood united in their grief at the Leicester City ground, mourning the club’s owner and the four others killed in Saturday’s horrific helicopter crash.

Jamie Vardy stared bemused at the growing shrine of flowers, football shirts and scarves, while Kasper Schmeichel crumpled, covering his mouth to stifle sobs, as they stood with Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s heartbroken son.

Aiyawatt, 33, also known as Top, and Thai magnate Vichai’s widow Aimon had placed a wreath of white roses at the shrine after travelling overnight from Bangkok.

Vichai, 61, died along with two assistants, Nusara Suknamai, 33, and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and his girlfriend and co-pilot Izabela Lechowicz, 46.

Inside the stadium, Top laid a wreath on the centre spot, where his father’s doomed flight had off. His mother Aimon hugged each of the players who stood, heads bowed, around the centre spot.

Top then joined the first team squad, all dressed in black tracksuits, many of them in tears, at the shrine. He sobbed and shook his head as he viewed the shirts and scarves left by distraught fans.

There was a minute’s silence before the supporters broke out into a round of applause.

The eight-seater helicopter plunged to the ground seconds after taking off from the King Power stadium following Leicester’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.

Pilot Eric had steered towards an empty car park, avoiding further loss of life.

FA President Prince William led the tributes to Vichai, praising his “big contribution to football”.

He said: “I was lucky to have known Vichai for several years. He was a busitaken nessman of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes.

“He made a big contribution to football, not least through Leicester City’s magical 2016 season that captured the imagination of the world.

“He will be missed by all fans of the sport and everyone lucky enough to have known him.”

Crash investigators have recovered the data recorder from the doomed Westland AW169. Leicestershire Police dismissed rumours that one of their drones brought down the helicopter.

Vichai’s family were joined at the Leicester ground by Somyot Poompanmoung, president of the Thai FA, and his wife Potjaman.

Tom Meighan, 37, lead singer of Leicester rock band Kasabian was among the fans there to pay their respects. He said: “At the