The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
William says businessman had made a ‘big contribution’
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.
Prince William, president of the Football Association and a keen football fan, said he was “lucky” to have known Mr Vichai “for several years”, as tributes continued to flood in for the Thai businessman and the four other people on board.
He joined Prime Minister Theresa May in sending his thoughts to the victims’ families, friends and the supporters, while Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s son, Aiyawatt, was among those to lay a wreath at the ground.
In a statement, the duke said: “I was lucky to have known Vichai for several years.
“He was a businessman of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes.
“He made such 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.”
Police confirmed 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.
Those visiting the scene on Monday included Mr Vichai’s widow ,Aimon Srivaddhanaprabha, Thai Football Association president Somyot Poompanmoung and Mr Somyot’s wife, Potjaman Poompanmoung.
Tributes were also paid to on board.
Brighton College described former pupil Mr Swaffer as “kind and popular”.
Headmaster Richard Cairns said: “Eric was at Brighton College from 1979 to 1983 and fell in love with flying when, as a schoolboy cadet, he visited a Royal Navy ship flight deck. the others
“His contemporaries and teachers remember him as a kind and popular boy.”
The Polish embassy described Ms Lechowicz as “a wonderful pilot”.
A statement said: “She was a wonderful pilot and a #Polka100 campaign finalist who created a positive image of Poland. Our deepest condolences to her family.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is carrying out an investigation into what caused the Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter to crash.
It is believed to be the first involving an AW169 aircraft. accident