Leicester City Owner Confirmed Dead In Helicopter Crash

Tearful Leicester City fans gathered to lay flowers at the King Power Stadium yesterday after the owner’s helicopter came crashing down to earth and burst into flames shortly after taking off from the ground last night.

The helicopter was carrying popular owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60, two crew members and two passengers when it took off from the centre circle after Leicester’s draw with West Ham yesterday evening.

Police and the club are yet to release an official statement on the tragedy, but the BBC have reported a source close to the Thai billionaire’s family said he and the four others died in the crash.

Fans outside Leicester’s ground were still desperate for news on the crash today, as detectives insisted they are ‘working with a number of other agencies’ to release a statement on fatalities.

Supporters branded it Leicester’s ‘darkest day’, paying tribute to the much-loved owner who helped them to a miracle Premier League victory in 2016. As matches took place across the country today, fans fell silent in solidarity with Leicester.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s helicopter was heading for Luton Airport where he was due to catch a flight to Thailand, Leicester sources said today.

But witnesses say they heard the ‘engine stop’ in mid-air just after take-off before the aircraft plummeted to the ground in the club’s car park at around 8.30pm.

As Premier League fixtures resumed yesterday there was a minute’s applause held at Crystal Palace in solidarity with Leicester, and a minute’s silence at Manchester United and Burnley, even with fans still in the dark over the outcome of the crash.

Initital reports claimed Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s daughter was on board the aircraft last night, but these have been denied by sources at Leicester City.

Outside the stadium today a sea of flowers and blue football scarves has grown as supporters continue to wait for news on the helicopter disaster – nearly 24 hours on.