Leicester City announces death of owner in helicopter crash

Leicester City have confirmed that owner Vichah Srivaddhanaprabha was among those that tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Saturday evening.

Leicester City have confirmed that owner Vichah Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people that tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash following the clubs premier league clash with West Ham United.

The 60-year-old’s private helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the King Power Stadium, landing in a nearby car park.

In a club statement, the club said a book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 30 October 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.

The club has also confirmed that both City’s Carabao Cup clash with Southampton on Tuesday and the under-23s’ Premier League International Cup game against Feyenoord have been postponed.

The club said: "It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our Chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived.

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.

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.

In a separate statement Leicestershire Police confirmed: "Five people are believed to have died when a helicopter crashed outside the King Power Stadium yesterday evening (Saturday 27 October).

The five people were on board the helicopter when the incident happened. While formal identification has not yet taken place, they are believed to be Leicester City Football Club chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of his staff, Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

"The force has been working to ensure that all the relevant next of kin had been informed prior to this information being confirmed publicly.

"No one else is believed to have been injured.

"The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is leading the investigation into the accident and a cordon remains in place at the scene while enquiries continue.