The Leicester City FC owner and four others killed in a helicopter crash had ‘minimal’ opportunity to escape, an inquest heard today.
An inquest into the tragedy was opened and adjourned at Leicester Coroner’s Court.
During the 12-minute hearing held in Leicester Town Hall, the five victims were formally named.
Club chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60, died along with his assistants Kavenporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, 33.
Pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and his girlfriend Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46, were also killed in the crash at the King Power Stadium on October 27.
The inquest heard minutes before the fatal crash the victims were captured on CCTV standing in the players’ tunnel near the pitch.
Moments later they boarded Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s AugustaWestland AW169 helicopter before the took off from the centre circle – a ritual the owner did following every home game.
A police officer who gave evidence at the inquest said there was minimal opportunity for anybody else to have got in or out of the aircraft in the moments before the crash.
He confirmed those who had died were Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, Nusara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, Eric Swaffer and Izabela Lechowicz.