Billionaire Leicester City FC owner died in helicopter fireball alongside 'two crew and two other passengers' (PHOTOS)
Tearful Leicester City fans gathered to lay flowers at the King Power Stadium today 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 today 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.
Karen Kennell, 60, a primary school teacher from Leicester, said: 'I was at the game yesterday and I was at home when I heard the news just after half past eight.
'He's contributed so much to the club and the city, when he first came they were in dire straits and he brought them back up to what they are today.
'Not so long I managed to shake his hand, he and the other members of the management team were in the club shop just shaking hands with people, that was just something that they did - it's so so sad.'
Lifelong fan Tom Fall, 53, a civil servant from Leicester said: 'I was at yesterday game and I heard about it when I got home, it takes me about half an hour to get home and I was just getting something to eat.
'I sat down and looked at the fans forum and someone had posted that the helicopter had crashed, I could not believe it.
'OK so he was a businessman and many people like him take over clubs and wold be quite aloof but its not been the case with him - he developed a real connection with the fans and the community and it's ultimately led to us winning the league.
'He's left a permanent mark on the whole city not just the club. If he hadn't come we would not have had so much success.
'The way he's managed things has led to a family atmosphere and people come to enjoy the family atmosphere at the club. I shook his hand in the club shop before the start of the game against Seville, in a pre-season friendly.'
Andrew Stansall, 50, said: 'I was at the game but I had left by the time it happened. I heard the helicopter take off because I live close.
'It seems like the owner was inside. He has done so much, not only for the team but for the city. The whole town will be mourning, he will never be forgotten.'
Manny Griffin, 50, said: 'We were devastated. It's true he has done so much for the city - he was such a unique owner, really close to the fans. 'All the fans will be mourning, I hope his legacy will continue. That would be great for him.'
In their latest statement on Sunday afternoon, Leicestershire Police said: 'We understand that many people are waiting for an update about the helicopter crash at King Power Stadium last night.
'We are working with a number of other agencies to get an update out to the public and press. Thank you for your patience and all your messages of support.'
Leicester legend Gary Lineker last night paid emotional tribute to the club he represented as a player, saying Saturday's programme was the 'most difficult' edition of Match of the Day he had ever presented.
Lineker earned praise for his 'dignity' and 'professionalism' on the BBC's highlights show, in which he also paid tribute to former England team-mate Glenn Hoddle who was taken ill on Saturday.
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 today 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.
Karen Kennell, 60, a primary school teacher from Leicester, said: 'I was at the game yesterday and I was at home when I heard the news just after half past eight.
'He's contributed so much to the club and the city, when he first came they were in dire straits and he brought them back up to what they are today.
'Not so long I managed to shake his hand, he and the other members of the management team were in the club shop just shaking hands with people, that was just something that they did - it's so so sad.'
Lifelong fan Tom Fall, 53, a civil servant from Leicester said: 'I was at yesterday game and I heard about it when I got home, it takes me about half an hour to get home and I was just getting something to eat.
'I sat down and looked at the fans forum and someone had posted that the helicopter had crashed, I could not believe it.
'OK so he was a businessman and many people like him take over clubs and wold be quite aloof but its not been the case with him - he developed a real connection with the fans and the community and it's ultimately led to us winning the league.
'He's left a permanent mark on the whole city not just the club. If he hadn't come we would not have had so much success.
'The way he's managed things has led to a family atmosphere and people come to enjoy the family atmosphere at the club. I shook his hand in the club shop before the start of the game against Seville, in a pre-season friendly.'
Andrew Stansall, 50, said: 'I was at the game but I had left by the time it happened. I heard the helicopter take off because I live close.
'It seems like the owner was inside. He has done so much, not only for the team but for the city. The whole town will be mourning, he will never be forgotten.'
Manny Griffin, 50, said: 'We were devastated. It's true he has done so much for the city - he was such a unique owner, really close to the fans. 'All the fans will be mourning, I hope his legacy will continue. That would be great for him.'
In their latest statement on Sunday afternoon, Leicestershire Police said: 'We understand that many people are waiting for an update about the helicopter crash at King Power Stadium last night.
'We are working with a number of other agencies to get an update out to the public and press. Thank you for your patience and all your messages of support.'
Leicester legend Gary Lineker last night paid emotional tribute to the club he represented as a player, saying Saturday's programme was the 'most difficult' edition of Match of the Day he had ever presented.
Lineker earned praise for his 'dignity' and 'professionalism' on the BBC's highlights show, in which he also paid tribute to former England team-mate Glenn Hoddle who was taken ill on Saturday.
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