Investigators are working to discover more details about Saturday night’s helicopter crash outside Leicester City’s football stadium, in which the club’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and four other passengers died. Vichai, who bought Leicester for £39m in 2010, boarded the flight after watching his team’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the Premier League. The Thai billionaire’s helicopter took off from the pitch at around 8.30pm and erupted in flames after crashing in an empty car park near the south-east corner of the King Power Stadium. There were no other casualties on the ground when the helicopter crashed. Leicestershire police have named the other four passengers as Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, both members of Vichai’s staff, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz. Vichai, who has two sons and two daughters, was due to fly to Luton Airport before taking a private jet back to Thailand. The 60-year-old was a hugely popular figure with Leicester supporters, having provided the backing that saw them win their first ever Premier League title in 2016. Eyewitnesses said that the Augusta AW169 helicopter struggled to clear the roof of the stadium and spiralled to ground after developing a fault around an hour after the end of the game. The emergency services rushed to the scene to tackle a huge fire and members of the public travelled to the stadium to leave tributes on Sunday. It has been suggested by sources that Jon Rudkin, Leicester’s director of football, was supposed to be on the flight but stayed in Leicester. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in November 2016. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, Leicester’s vice-chairman and Vichai’s son, flew to the United Kingdom from Thailand on Sunday. Leicestershire police pleaded for patience from the public as crash investigators took control of the site. The exact circumstances of the crash remain unclear, with footage of the incident yet to be released. Eyewitnesses said that the helicopter fell shortly after taking flight. It was said to have spun out of control before landing outside a fence surrounding the stadium perimeter. It crashed on land owned by the club, landing near car park E, which is used by Leicester’s staff. The site was empty at the time. The tragedy has rocked the city, with supporters flocking to the stadium to pay their respects on Sunday. Police cordoned off the south-east corner of the stadium, preventing access to the crash site. Chaos and confusion had reigned during the initial aftermath of the accident. Onlookers walked away from the scene in obvious distress and Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester’s goalkeeper, was seen in tears outside the ground. Schmeichel, who had a close relationship with Vichai, did not leave the stadium until late on Saturday night. Leicester’s home game against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, which was due to take place on Tuesday, has been postponed to a later date Martin George, a former Leicester chairman, said: “I’d just the left the ground and got in my car, there was an awful queue so I could tell something wasn’t right. I got a call from a friend to say what had happened. We’ve had administrations, we’ve had relegations, we’ve had all sorts of things, but nothing like this. “Vichai has been terrific for this club. He is a very good gentleman, sportsman. Not just with football, but polo, and horse racing. You couldn’t ask for anybody better to be in charge of this club. “He enjoyed the company of people who had like minds, talked quite happily with them. But of course he had an iron will as well, to have his success you’d have to. I came today to talk to the directors, express my feelings. I’ve been upstairs to speak to them and had a walk round. This is the last thing you’d expect.” The investigation into the crash will take several days, police said in a statement on Sunday afternoon. “We understand there is a considerable amount of public and media interest into the helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium last night. News of the crash, which happened in a car park near the stadium just after 8.30pm, has had an impact on many people and we appreciate there is a clear desire for updates and clarity around the circumstances. 01:32 'It puts football in perspective': Hodgson and Sarri on Leicester City and Glenn Hoddle – video “Leicestershire police, East Midlands ambulance service and Leicestershire fire and rescue service all responded to the incident last night and inquiries continue at the scene today, led by the air accidents investigation branch. These enquiries are expected to continue over the coming days. As soon as we are able to confirm any further details around the incident, we will do so. In the interim we ask that you are patient, understanding and resist speculating on the detail and the circumstances.” The crash was witnessed by a number of stunned fans. Tim Acott, a Leicester season ticket holder for 40 years, said: “It just came out of the stadium already spinning, then down to the ground. Just in a spiral. It hit the ground with a big bang then burst into flames. It’s over on the other side of the car park, I don’t think there were people there. I’m shaking like anything.” Players in Premier League matches on Sunday wore black armbands as a mark of respect and minute’s silences were held before many games. The Leicester manager, Claude Puel, spoke of his sadness at the news. “It’s a tragedy for the club,” he said. “I think very strongly about the victims and their families … I’m terribly sad.” Throughout Sunday fans arrived at the ground to pay tribute, leaving flowers, scarves and football shirts. Not all were Leicester fans. A Wolverhampton Wanderers supporter laid down his club’s shirt that read: “Divided by colours, united by grief.”<doc-sep>Leicester City: Chilling moment helicopter is heard crashing top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. It was around 8.30pm local time, about an hour after Leicester City’s Premier League match against West Ham in which the teams drew 1-1, the helicopter took off from the Leicester City King Power Stadium. The incident occurred in the Leicester City stadium’s car park, where police cars and emergency services rushed towards an area where flames were visible before the area was evacuated. Witnesses said the helicopter seemed to spiral out of control moments after it set off from Leicester's King Power Stadium. In a statement released Sunday morning, the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: "The aircraft came down in a car park near the stadium shortly after 8.30pm yesterday evening (Saturday 27 October) with Leicestershire Police, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service all responding to the incident. "A cordon is currently in place at the scene to enable the AAIB to examine the area and complete their initial enquiries. "Leicestershire Police will be supporting the AAIB in its investigation, liaising closely with Leicester City Football Club as enquiries continue." John Butcher, who was near the stadium at the time of the crash, told the BBC his nephew saw the helicopter spiral out of control apparently due to a faulty rear propeller. He said: "Within a second it dropped like a stone to the floor. Luckily it did spiral for a little while and everybody sort of ran, sort of scattered. "As far as we are aware nobody around the car park was caught up in this problem." Leicester helicopter crash: The helicopter of Leicester City Football Club crashed last night Leicester City football club's owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was among the people on board the helicopter that crashed at the King Power stadium, sources say. At first, it was claimed that Mr Srivaddhanaprabha daughter was on board the chopper as well, but Leicester City sources confirm the club owner's daughter was not on the tragic helicopter when it crashed. Leicestershire Police have issued a statement reiterating they continue to work towards providing an update on the helicopter crash. The statement read: “We understand that many people are waiting for an update about the helicopter crash at King Power Stadium last night. Leicester helicopter crash: Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was on board the helicopter when it crashed Leicester helicopter crash: Fans lay flowers outside stadium<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice One of the victims of the tragic Leicester City helicopter crash which killed five people was Nusara Suknamai, a former Miss Thailand Universe competitor. Originally from Bangkok, Suknamai, who died at the age of 33, was on board the aircraft with Foxes owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. Also in the helicopter were pilot Eric Swaffer who was with girlfriend Izabela Roza Lechowicz, also a pilot. Kaveporn Punpare, who is a member of Srivaddhanaprabha's staff along with Suknamai, also passed away in the tragedy. Suknamai's Instagram page includes snaps with several Leicester players including England internationals Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy. (Image: Instagram) (Image: xxxxxx/Instagram) She also has a picture with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and England boss Gareth Southgate. On Friday, Suknamai posted pictures of herself posing on Chelsea's famous Kings Road. Suknamai was a contestant in the 2005 Miss Thailand Universe competition, finishing as runner-up. She was crowned Miss Intercontinental Thailand. She was on board the helicopter when it collected Srivaddhanaprabha and the other passengers as normal following Leicester's Premier League game against West Ham . But the aircraft encountered problems shortly after take-off having reached a height of around 200 feet. (Image: zara_nusara/Instagram) (Image: facebook) It crashed into the tarmac close to the stadium and was quickly engulfed in flames, tragically killing all five people on board. A Leicester statement 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. (Image: zara_nusara/Instagram) (Image: zara_nusara/Instagram) “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 a family that will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the Club that is now his legacy. “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. “Both Tuesday’s First Team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the Development Squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed. “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."<doc-sep>
Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has been named as one of five victims killed when his helicopter crashed. The helicopter crashed in flames just outside Leicester’s King Power stadium around an hour after the club’s 1-1 draw against West Ham on Saturday night. Leicester City Football club released a statement this evening confirming the billionaire was ‘one of five’ tragically killed. The helicopter crashed in flames just outside Leicester’s King Power stadium around an hour after the club’s 1-1 draw against West Ham (Picture: REX) The helicopter crashed in flames just outside Leicester’s stadium around an hour after the club’s 1-1 draw against West Ham on Saturday night (Picture: REX) Leicestershire Police said the others who died in the crash were Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, who were members of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s staff, as well as pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz. A spokesperson for 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. Harry takes new swipe at royals saying families feel 'shame' over mental health ‘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. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Witnesses said the helicopter seemed to spiral out of control moments after it set off at about 8.30pm and plummeted into the car park (Picture: Reuters) Flowers outside the King Power stadium in Leicester (Picture: EPA) Leicester City Football club released a statement this evening confirming the billionaire was ‘one of five’ tragically killed (Picture: REX) ‘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 in due course.’ Manchester City and Chelsea fans fight on streets ahead of Champions League final The club added that both Tuesday’s First Team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the Development Squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed. A spokesman added: ‘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.’ 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. Leicestershire Police said they are supporting the AAIB in its investigation, liaising closely with Leicester City Football Club. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Pilot Eric Swaffer died in the crash (Picture: Facebook) Izabela Roza Lechowicz was killed on impact (Picture: Jadwija Bronte) Nusara Suknamai was killed in the helicopter crash (Picture: Facebook) Kaveporn Punpare was one of five victims (Picture: Facebook) Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has been described as ‘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’ (Picture: REX) Superintendent Steve Potter said: ‘This is an incredibly tragic incident in which five people are understood have lost their lives. ‘Emergency services were immediately on scene when the crash happened, working to put out the fire and gain access to the helicopter in attempts to reach those inside. Despite those efforts, there were no survivors.