Leicester City owner’s helicopter crashes near stadium, casualties feared

Tragedy has gripped the Leicester City football club after the helicopter of the club’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, crashed near the stadium following the team’s match 1-1 draw against West Ham United in the Premier League encounter on Saturday night.

According to eye-witness reports, the helicopter took off an hour after the match had ended but it landed near the car parking area near the stadium before erupting in flames.

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The club has still not issued an official statement but the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), citing a source ‘close to the family’ reported that Srivaddhanaprabha was in the helicopter when it crashed.

Several eyewitnesses reported that the helicopter was spinning very quickly and that it was hovering near the roof of the stadium. Police apparently tried to put out the flames but there were reports of that it hit the ground and immediately burst into flames.

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Srivaddhanaprabha’s company, King Power, has issued no statement while Leicester City police have tweeted that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash and that they are closely co-ordinating with the team.

In 2015/16, Leicester City created history by winning the Premier League for the first time in history. Bookmakers had said the odds of winning the title were 5000-1 but the team overcame several odds and under Claudio Ranieri, they chalked up one of the most memorable moments in the Premier League.