Leicester City owner's helicopter crashes leaving stadium


One witness said he heard "a big bang" and then saw "a big fireball"

The Leicester City owner's helicopter has crashed in a car park outside the club's ground, shortly after taking off following a match.

It is not known if Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was in the helicopter at the time.

Leicester City had been playing West Ham United in the Premier League at their King Power stadium.

One witness said he saw Leicester's goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel run out towards the crashed helicopter.

The game, which ended 1-1, kicked off at 17:30 BST and finished about one hour before the helicopter took off.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was at the game and spoke to BBC commentator Ian Stringer on his way to the executive box before the match.

Under Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's ownership, Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016, having started the season as 5,000/1 outsiders.


Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha purchased Leicester City in 2010


In the early hours of Sunday, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service's Assistant Chief Fire Officer Andrew Brodie tweeted that he had just left "multiagency strategic meetings" at Leicestershire Police's HQ.

He described the crash as "clearly serious and tragic", adding: "Please don't speculate on cause or who may be involved. Think of families, friends, responders, and @LCFC and their fans."

◾'I have seen staff in tears' - Reaction to Leicester helicopter crash

One Leicester season ticker holder, who did not wish to be named, said: "I saw Kasper Schmeichel run out first [from the stadium] and then loads of security guards and stewards.

"I was stood outside the ground but it crashed on the other side. I hope everyone is OK."

Freelance photographer Ryan Brown was covering the game and saw the helicopter clear the King Power stadium before it crashed.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "The engine stopped and I turned round and it made a bit of a whirring noise, like a grinding noise.

"The helicopter just went silent, I turned round and it was just spinning, out of control. And then there was a big bang and then [a] big fireball."

Leo Bruka told 5 Live that he saw two police officers whose car was near the crash scene.

"One of them was looking for something and the other one, he ran straight away to the helicopter and he was trying to break the window," he said.

"Then there is an explosion and they pulled back because the fire was too hot."


The helicopter shortly after taking off from inside the stadium

Leicester City said the club was assisting police and emergency services and would issue a more detailed statement in due course.

Leicestershire Police said officers are working alongside the ambulance service, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, the Air Accident Investigation Branch and Leicester City FC to establish the circumstances of the collision.

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At the scene

By BBC Sport commentator Ian Stringer

I have seen staff, backroom staff and [the] first team in tears here his evening. The reception area is described as silent, people looking around and crying and not knowing what to do and consoling each other.

I remember the owners taking over. I said hello to them in native tongue, their face lit up. I have generated relationships with them, seen them in Thailand in Bangkok in their home surrounding, they are really nice people.

The chairman looked at me today on the way to the executive box and said "hello and good afternoon".

We were keeping a close eye on him because of the nature of today's game and it is really eerie around Leicester at the minute this evening.

Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett said the helicopter took off from the pitch, as it does after every game.

He said that after a few seconds it appeared to lose control and crashed into the car park just a few hundred metres away.

Another witness said it appeared "the tail propeller wasn't working, putting it into a spin".

◾Leicester and West Ham draw 1-1


Labour MP Jon Ashworth, who represents Leicester South, said he had been in touch with emergency services and thanked them for responding so quickly.

Leicester Mayor Peter Soulsby tweeted that his thoughts and prayers were "with all - particularly owners who've done so much for club and our city".

Former Leicester City and England striker Gary Lineker signed off on Match of the Day by saying it had been a "dreadful day".

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha bought the club in 2010 for £39m.

After Leicester were promoted from the Championship in 2014, said he would spend £180m to get them into European competition in three years.

Leicester City then went on to win the Premier League title in one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, and reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2017.

post=72469257:
Hope no casualties?!

Ishilove:

There will definitely be casualties, the pilot for one.

post=72469257]Hope no casualties?![/quote]

[quote author=Ishilove:

There will definitely be casualties, the pilot for one.

naptu2:


There are unconfirmed reports that the owner of Leicester City, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Sporting Director and the pilot were killed.