An AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter (G-VSKP) used by Leicester City FC’s club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha impacted a car park just outside LCFC’s King Power Stadium in Leicester, UK after taking off from the pitch. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is also the owner of Belgian football club OHL Leuven. The helicopter had climbed vertically to 200ft before transitioning forward when it reportedly yawed and lost height. A post impact fire occurred.
The accident occurred after Saturday’s Leicester City FC game against West Ham.
On Sunday evening, Leicester City FC confirmed the death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha: “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.”
Deepest sympathy to all the family and friends and everyone associated with @LCFC #RIPVichai pic.twitter.com/Qe2IDCoEb6
— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) October 28, 2018
Helicopter belonging to the chairman of Leicester City has crashed outside the club’s stadium. No news yet as to who was on board. pic.twitter.com/lHjX6NqUUb
— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) October 27, 2018
Theres a major incident by the King Power Stadium. Emergency services attending. pic.twitter.com/GtAbo6AHpD
— Mr Geoff Peters (@mrgeoffpeters) October 27, 2018
Heartbreaking watching the final moments of the doomed helicopter. The people on board didn’t stand a chance. Gives me shivers! ? #Tragedy #LeicesterCity pic.twitter.com/xXOKNrV9IU
— Mr Fane ??????? (@MrFane87) October 30, 2018