Leicester City Owner, Vichai, Among 5 Dead in Plane Crash

Leicester City Owner, Vichai, Among 5 Dead in Plane Crash

The owner of Leicester City FC, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, died when his helicopter crashed outside the stadium, the club has confirmed.

Vichai, two members of his staff, the pilot and a passenger were killed when the aircraft crashed at about 20:30 BST on Saturday.

Witnesses said the helicopter just cleared the King Power Stadium before it spiralled out of control and exploded in a fireball.

Thousands of bouquets and scarves have already been left outside the ground, as police list the dead to include – Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, Pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Mr Vichai, 60, who was married and had four children, bought Leicester City for £39m in 2010.

Under his ownership the club won the Premier League in 2016, having started the season as 5,000/1 outsiders.

In a statement, Leicester City said the club’s thoughts were with “the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss”.

“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 will be opened at King Power Stadium from Tuesday morning. The team’s next fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup, scheduled for Tuesday evening, has been postponed.

Club captain Wes Morgan tweeted: “Absolutely heartbroken and devastated regarding the news of our chairman. A man that was loved and adored by everyone here at lcfc.”

Struggling to find the right words….but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club. Thank you for everything you did for… https://t.co/FzTaXVejUg

— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7) October 28, 2018

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “Vichai was a gentleman who graced the game with his civility and charm and we will miss him enormously.

“His impact on Leicester – the football club and the city – will be remembered forever.”