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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Tom Powell

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha death: Devastated family of Leicester City owner killed in helicopter crash lay wreaths at scene

The devastated family of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha have visited the site of his fatal helicopter crash to pay tribute.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's family members joined Leicester City players to honour the club's owner after he was killed along with four other people in the crash.

His son Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who is the club's vice-chairman, arrived at the King Power Stadium with his mother Aimon and other family members holding large wreaths on Monday.

He stood mourning alongside footballers Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel.

Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, son of Leicester City's owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, stands near the club's players Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel (REUTERS)

A procession of around 30 people made their way to the front of a sea of flowers and candles left by fans following Saturday’s crash outside the ground, in which five people died.

Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, and Aimon Srivaddhanaprabha, the son and wife of Leicester City's owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, mourn at the sea of tributes at the club's stadium today (REUTERS)

They were pictured clasping their hands together and fighting back tears as scores of supporters stood to one side and watched.

The Thai billionaire’s daughter Voramas was also spotted at the scene, but it is not known if his other son Apichet and daughter Aroonroong were there.

Paying tribute: Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's wife Aimon and son Aiyawatt at the scene of the crash on Monday (AFP/Getty Images)

It comes after the Duke of Cambridge said he was “lucky to have known” Mr Srivaddhanaprabha for several years as he paid tribute .

The family lay their own wreathes among flowers and candles left by fans (AFP/Getty Images)

“He was a businessman of strong values who was dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charitable causes,” he said.

Leicester City Vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha with family members outside the ground (PA)

“He made such a big contribution to football, not least through Leicester City's magical 2016 season that captured the imagination of the world."

Theresa May also paid tribute, saying that the "outpouring of grief is a testament to how many people's lives were touched by those on board".

Police confirmed Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was killed along with two staff members, the pilot and a passenger when the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

The Dalai Lama (right) with Eric Swaffer who died when the helicopter that he was piloting crashed just yards from Leicester City Football Club Stadium on Saturday evening (PA)

The four others were members of staff Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Nursara Suknamai and Kavenporn Punpare were among the victims of the Leicester helicopter crash (Instagram )

Mr Swaffer has been hailed as a hero for steering the spinning aircraft away from crowds of people on the ground.

Izabela Lechowicz was killed in the crash

The air accident watchdog is carrying out an investigation into what caused the aircraft to crash in a car park near the stadium a few hours after the Foxes drew 1-1 with West Ham.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5854762485001

Hundreds of tributes were left outside the ground on Sunday by mourners, with more messages flooding in through social media.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha bought the club in 2010 (REUTERS)

Leicester City issued a statement late on Sunday describing the businessman, who bought the club for £39 million in 2010 and led it to a historic first Premier League title, as a "great man".

The club said: "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."

The club will set up a book of condolence at the stadium from Tuesday morning for supporters to pay their respects, with an online version on its website for those unable to visit in person.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=5854586084001

Leicester's EFL Cup tie against Southampton and the development squad's match against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday have both been postponed.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is leading the investigation into how the Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter crashed in what is believed to be the first accident involving an AW169 aircraft.

The helicopter pictured before taking off after the match (Eric Swaffer)

A spokesman added: "A team from the AAIB has been deployed to the site and is investigating. Anyone with information that might be helpful to the investigation is asked to contact the police."

Witnesses said the helicopter seemed to spiral out of control moments after it set off from the pitch.

The helicopter erupts in a fireball outside the King Power stadium (PA/Sky Sports News)

The tragedy is being described as the "darkest day" in Leicester City's history and mourners began laying wreaths near the stadium on Sunday morning.

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