Leicester City club owner among 5 people killed in helicopter crash
Posted October 28, 2018 10:09 am.
Last Updated October 28, 2018 9:27 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
English soccer club Leicester City says Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people who died when a helicopter crashed next to the stadium.
The 60-year-old retail entrepreneur’s helicopter burst into flames shortly after taking off from the soccer field Saturday at the team’s King Power stadium which is named after his duty-free chain.
Leicestershire Police say two other members of Vichai’s staff – Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare – were also in the helicopter at the time of the crash. Also killed were pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
Srivaddhanaprabha was known for arriving and leaving the stadium in his helicopter at home games.
In a statement, Leicester says “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.”
Small bouquets, soccer jerseys and flags were left by members of the public alongside a large image of the Hindu god Ganesh, which was also propped up among the flowers. A small candle was placed in front of the flowers as people gathered at the stadium.
Srivaddhanaprabha, who owns Thai duty-free retail giant King Power and is said by Forbes to be the fifth-richest person in Thailand, bought Leicester in 2010 and provided the funds that helped the team improbably win the Premier League at odds of 5,000-1 in 2016.
It was regarded as one of the greatest underdog stories in the history of sports.
Srivaddhanaprabha was very highly thought of in the city and has formed a close bond with the fans, sometimes mingling with them at games. He has been praised for his charity work, donating 2 million pounds ($2.5 million) toward a new local children’s hospital.
One fan left a card of a fox with their flowers, reading: “Thinking of you all.” Leicester’s nickname is The Foxes.
A Women’s Championship clash between Leicester and Manchester United scheduled to be played at the King Power Stadium on Sunday was called off. The ladies reserve league match against Derby was also postponed.
