Leicester City football club owner's helicopter crashes outside stadium

A helicopter belonging to Leicester City football club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed in a ball of flames in the club's car park on Saturday, British media said.

heli_crash.jpg
The helicopter of Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has crashed outside the King Power Stadium after the Premier League game against West Ham.

The incident occurred in the club's car park, where police cars and emergency services rushed towards an area where flames were clearly visible before the area was evacuated.

"We are assisting Leicestershire Police and the emergency services in dealing with a major incident at King Power Stadium. The Club will issue a more detailed statement once further information has been established," a Leicester City spokesman said.

Srivaddhanaprabha routinely leaves the stadium in his helicopter, which lands in the centre circle on the pitch, after every Leicester home game.

Leicester City v Fleetwood Town - Carabao Cup Second Round
Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha regularly arrived and departed the King Power Stadium in his helicopter. Source: Getty


"We are dealing with an incident in the vicinity of the King Power Stadium. Emergency services are aware and dealing," Leicestershire Police tweeted.

They have not provided any further detail.

It is not known who was in the helicopter when it crashed.

"We are also in attendance and will update when possible," East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust tweeted.

Leicester City v Liverpool FC - Premier League
It's not known if Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was on the helicopter when it crashed. Source: Getty


Witnesses told Sky Sports News the helicopter took off from the pitch but lost control within a few seconds and crashed.

"I hope they're OK. Doesn't seem like they have had much of a chance. Just burst into flames," one witness told Sky News.

Leicester players Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire both tweeted praying hands emojis.

West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta, who played in the game, tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in the helicopter accident at Leicester City."




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Source: Reuters, SBS

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