A helicopter belonging to Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha burst into flames after it crashed yards away from the King Power stadium this evening.
Fans were shell-shocked and some broke down in tears as the helicopter plummeted to the ground near the club’s staff car park at around 8.30pm on Saturday, shortly after Leicester’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.
The condition of Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who was at the game tonight, remains unknown as the helicopter took off as normal from the centre circle and was hovering over the south east corner of the ground before spluttering and spiraling to ground, near Filbert Way, before bursting into flames.
BT Sports cameras captured the moments leading up to the helicopter preparing for take-off as presenter Jake Humphreys seemed to confirm Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was on board.
He said: ‘As you can see, the owners are now heading off.’
Spectators at the game said they witnessed the helicopter spinning out of control and that there was a problem with the tail rotor of the aircraft.
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s and his entourage leaving the King Power by helicopter has become a familiar sight as he frequently takes off from the centre circle of Leicester’s ground.
The Thai millionaire attended the 1-1 draw on Saturday night, the club confirmed, and there are reports he was on board the £2million Augusta Westland AW-169 aircraft at the time of the crash. It is unclear whether there were any injuries on the ground.
Photographs near the crash site show at least one vehicle with its windows blown out and its roof burnt.
Leicester vice-chairman Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddanaprabha and Leicester Director of Football John Rudkin were not on board the helicopter, according to Sky sources.
An ambulance and ambulance car was filmed driving slowly away from the King Power stadium shortly before 10.30pm.
