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| Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha confirmed dead – updates and reaction | Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha confirmed dead – updates and reaction |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| It’s still quite early in the morning in Thailand. However, here is how the English-language daily the Bangkok Post has covered the story today: | |
| Bangkok Post front page on Monday 29 October: ♦️ Mogul Vichai feared dead * https://t.co/QAyl42RwOh♦️ Duty-free grip set for auction test https://t.co/Gs9P11KdMK ♦️ Viroj to lead Pheu Thai https://t.co/ToUDkodNeb * “Leicester boss Vichai killed in helicopter crash” pic.twitter.com/8oIxXpJ2OC | |
| It’s important to remember the other four people killed in the crash. They included the pilot, Eric Swaffer, passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz, and two members of Vichai’s staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare. | It’s important to remember the other four people killed in the crash. They included the pilot, Eric Swaffer, passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz, and two members of Vichai’s staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare. |
| According to the Mirror, Swaffer saved hundreds of lives by guiding the malfunctioning helicopter away from crowds still milling around the King Power stadium after the match on Saturday evening. | According to the Mirror, Swaffer saved hundreds of lives by guiding the malfunctioning helicopter away from crowds still milling around the King Power stadium after the match on Saturday evening. |
| The Mirror quotes Dan Cox, a Sky Sports News cameraman who was outside the ground and saw the chopper coming over the top of the stands: | The Mirror quotes Dan Cox, a Sky Sports News cameraman who was outside the ground and saw the chopper coming over the top of the stands: |
| I heard it coming out of the stadium. The next thing I just looked up and it was spinning, static, just out of control. I don’t know how the pilot did it but he seemed to manage to slow down the rotation and it drifted off into the corner part of the car park. | I heard it coming out of the stadium. The next thing I just looked up and it was spinning, static, just out of control. I don’t know how the pilot did it but he seemed to manage to slow down the rotation and it drifted off into the corner part of the car park. |
| He managed to crash that helicopter in a part of the ground where there wasn’t anybody there. The pilot was heroic and the two police officers in front of me, who also tried to help, they are heroes too.” | He managed to crash that helicopter in a part of the ground where there wasn’t anybody there. The pilot was heroic and the two police officers in front of me, who also tried to help, they are heroes too.” |
| Swaffer, 53, was an experienced pilot who had flown helicopters for a number of celebrities, according to the Mirror, and also worked as a pilot for Channel 4’s Big Breakfast and Virgin Radio. The Mirror also reports that Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a pilot, were a couple. | Swaffer, 53, was an experienced pilot who had flown helicopters for a number of celebrities, according to the Mirror, and also worked as a pilot for Channel 4’s Big Breakfast and Virgin Radio. The Mirror also reports that Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a pilot, were a couple. |
| RIP to the pilot Eric Swaffer. Reports saying he heroically steered the helicopter away from cars. Not really had much of a mention. A life is a life no matter about wealth. RIP sir! #LCFC pic.twitter.com/ior86Cv8Wm | RIP to the pilot Eric Swaffer. Reports saying he heroically steered the helicopter away from cars. Not really had much of a mention. A life is a life no matter about wealth. RIP sir! #LCFC pic.twitter.com/ior86Cv8Wm |
| A fellow overseas club owner, Farhad Moshiri, has tweeted his condolences. The Everton owner said it wa sa loss that would “felt by many”. | A fellow overseas club owner, Farhad Moshiri, has tweeted his condolences. The Everton owner said it wa sa loss that would “felt by many”. |
| Farhad Moshiri "We extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone associated with Leicester City and of course to those closest to Vichai, as well as to the families of those who also passed away. It's a loss that will be felt by so many and we are with you in this terrible moment.” pic.twitter.com/8wnSG2B1Rh | Farhad Moshiri "We extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone associated with Leicester City and of course to those closest to Vichai, as well as to the families of those who also passed away. It's a loss that will be felt by so many and we are with you in this terrible moment.” pic.twitter.com/8wnSG2B1Rh |
| Kasper Schmeichel, the Leicester City goalkeeper, has posted an emotional tribute to Vichai on Instagram. Schmeichel, who witnessed the crash on Saturday night, wrote that Vichai changed football “forever” through his inspiring ownership and gave everyone hope that the “impossible was possible”. | Kasper Schmeichel, the Leicester City goalkeeper, has posted an emotional tribute to Vichai on Instagram. Schmeichel, who witnessed the crash on Saturday night, wrote that Vichai changed football “forever” through his inspiring ownership and gave everyone hope that the “impossible was possible”. |
| On the theme of Vichai’s personal connection to the fans – and to good causes in the city – our sports writer David Conn has been looking at how the Thai magnate stood apart from many foreign owners. | On the theme of Vichai’s personal connection to the fans – and to good causes in the city – our sports writer David Conn has been looking at how the Thai magnate stood apart from many foreign owners. |
| David writes that although Vichai’s regular departure from the King Power by helicopter was “inescapably, and now tragically, emblematic” of overseas ownership, he nevertheless managed to mean something more to supporters of a club founded like so many in Britain during the Victorian era. | David writes that although Vichai’s regular departure from the King Power by helicopter was “inescapably, and now tragically, emblematic” of overseas ownership, he nevertheless managed to mean something more to supporters of a club founded like so many in Britain during the Victorian era. |
| He writes: | He writes: |
| Vichai brought success, above all, to Leicester but he also demonstrated awareness of his club’s emotional and civic significance. He was thanked and admired for that and appreciated for making it to matches which, in this modern age, involved flying in and out by helicopter. | Vichai brought success, above all, to Leicester but he also demonstrated awareness of his club’s emotional and civic significance. He was thanked and admired for that and appreciated for making it to matches which, in this modern age, involved flying in and out by helicopter. |
| You can read the whole of David’s piece here: | You can read the whole of David’s piece here: |
| The words of the fans who gathered at the stadium on Sunday do most to sum up the grief felt in the city whose mood was transformed by the famous Premier League win in 2016. | The words of the fans who gathered at the stadium on Sunday do most to sum up the grief felt in the city whose mood was transformed by the famous Premier League win in 2016. |
| Cathy Dunn, 55, told AFP: | Cathy Dunn, 55, told AFP: |
| He’s put Leicester on the map. He’s made us big, we’re not just a little club anymore. | He’s put Leicester on the map. He’s made us big, we’re not just a little club anymore. |
| While John Welford, 68, said: | While John Welford, 68, said: |
| What a fantastic man! I’ve been a supporter 60 years and personally I think he’s the best ever owner we’ve ever had. | What a fantastic man! I’ve been a supporter 60 years and personally I think he’s the best ever owner we’ve ever had. |
| Another fan, Tom Lievers, arrived with a “Champions” scarf to pay tribute to Vichai. | Another fan, Tom Lievers, arrived with a “Champions” scarf to pay tribute to Vichai. |
| Well you know where we were when he bought the club - we were absolutely nowhere. So I brought down my ‘Champions’ scarf because he made us champions. | Well you know where we were when he bought the club - we were absolutely nowhere. So I brought down my ‘Champions’ scarf because he made us champions. |
| The national stadium has its own special tribute. | The national stadium has its own special tribute. |
| #ForLeicesterCity pic.twitter.com/DSr6iAkWuC | #ForLeicesterCity pic.twitter.com/DSr6iAkWuC |
| Leicester supporters are also paying tribute to Vichai in person by creating a huge shrine to their chairman outside the King Power stadium. Fans have laid flowers, scarves, club shirts and even Buddhas in honour of Vichai. | Leicester supporters are also paying tribute to Vichai in person by creating a huge shrine to their chairman outside the King Power stadium. Fans have laid flowers, scarves, club shirts and even Buddhas in honour of Vichai. |
| Tributes have also come from plenty of fans of other clubs as well, judging by the number of non-Leicester shirts laid out outside the ground. | Tributes have also come from plenty of fans of other clubs as well, judging by the number of non-Leicester shirts laid out outside the ground. |
| There has been an outpouring of reaction on social media to the news of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s death. | There has been an outpouring of reaction on social media to the news of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s death. |
| Jamie Vardy, the Leicester forward whose rags to riches rise personified the club’s journey under Vichai’s ownership, has tweeted his thoughts: | Jamie Vardy, the Leicester forward whose rags to riches rise personified the club’s journey under Vichai’s ownership, has tweeted his thoughts: |
| Struggling to find the right words....but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club. Thank you for everything you did for… https://t.co/FzTaXVejUg | Struggling to find the right words....but to me you are legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club. Thank you for everything you did for… https://t.co/FzTaXVejUg |
| And from the Leicester fans: | And from the Leicester fans: |
| Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha passed away following Saturday’s tragic helicopter crash. RIP Vichai, thank you for all that you did for Leicester City. You helped re-write the culture of our wonderful city and your legacy will live on.#LCFC 💙🦊 pic.twitter.com/4imYF9z8EW | Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha passed away following Saturday’s tragic helicopter crash. RIP Vichai, thank you for all that you did for Leicester City. You helped re-write the culture of our wonderful city and your legacy will live on.#LCFC 💙🦊 pic.twitter.com/4imYF9z8EW |
| And from other clubs and players: | And from other clubs and players: |
| We are deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and the other passengers on board the helicopter that left the King Power Stadium last night. We send our heartfelt condolences to their families and all at @LCFC at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/r4K4KEtSZa | We are deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and the other passengers on board the helicopter that left the King Power Stadium last night. We send our heartfelt condolences to their families and all at @LCFC at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/r4K4KEtSZa |
| We would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and to the other families affected at this sad and tragic time.https://t.co/zefq12ngU4 | We would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and to the other families affected at this sad and tragic time.https://t.co/zefq12ngU4 |
| This is truly heart breaking, sending all my love and thoughts to everyone at @LCFC and especially Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s family what you created and achieved will never be forgotten a true hero has been lost 💙💙 https://t.co/Utu7VpcVMI | This is truly heart breaking, sending all my love and thoughts to everyone at @LCFC and especially Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s family what you created and achieved will never be forgotten a true hero has been lost 💙💙 https://t.co/Utu7VpcVMI |
| Respect and thoughts to the family and friends of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and everyone at Leicester City | Respect and thoughts to the family and friends of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and everyone at Leicester City |
| Leicestershire police have released the names of the four people who died with the Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. | Leicestershire police have released the names of the four people who died with the Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. |
| They were two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, the pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz. | They were two members of his staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, the pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz. |
| “This is an incredibly tragic incident in which five people are understood have lost their lives,” said Superintendent Steve Potter. “Emergency services were immediately on scene when the crash happened, working to put out the fire and gain access to the helicopter in attempts to reach those inside. Despite those efforts, there were no survivors. | “This is an incredibly tragic incident in which five people are understood have lost their lives,” said Superintendent Steve Potter. “Emergency services were immediately on scene when the crash happened, working to put out the fire and gain access to the helicopter in attempts to reach those inside. Despite those efforts, there were no survivors. |
| “The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is now leading an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash and investigators will remain at the scene to complete their initial enquiries. It is likely to take several days to fully complete the necessary work and to safely deal with the scene of this tragic accident, during that time we ask that both the media and public resist speculating around the cause of the crash. | “The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is now leading an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the crash and investigators will remain at the scene to complete their initial enquiries. It is likely to take several days to fully complete the necessary work and to safely deal with the scene of this tragic accident, during that time we ask that both the media and public resist speculating around the cause of the crash. |
| “We appreciate that both the public and media were keen to be updated on the circumstances and to confirm if those on board the helicopter had survived, but before any detail could be issued publicly, it was vital that all immediate next of kin were informed of the tragic outcome. As our communities will understand, this was a matter that needed to be handled sensitively and with dignity, with the families of the deceased being at the heart of our response, which involved other agencies. | “We appreciate that both the public and media were keen to be updated on the circumstances and to confirm if those on board the helicopter had survived, but before any detail could be issued publicly, it was vital that all immediate next of kin were informed of the tragic outcome. As our communities will understand, this was a matter that needed to be handled sensitively and with dignity, with the families of the deceased being at the heart of our response, which involved other agencies. |
| “Our thoughts today are with the families of those who have sadly died, with Leicester City Football Club, and with both football supporters and the wider local community who have all been impacted by the events of last night and the news that those on board the aircraft have not survived.” | “Our thoughts today are with the families of those who have sadly died, with Leicester City Football Club, and with both football supporters and the wider local community who have all been impacted by the events of last night and the news that those on board the aircraft have not survived.” |
| Vichai’s impact on the Leicester community is hard to overstate and he was a club owner much praised by both the fans and the city’s residents. Jacob Steinberg was on the streets of Leicester on Sunday and gauged the reaction to the news of his tragic accident. | Vichai’s impact on the Leicester community is hard to overstate and he was a club owner much praised by both the fans and the city’s residents. Jacob Steinberg was on the streets of Leicester on Sunday and gauged the reaction to the news of his tragic accident. |
| Vichai made impossible dreams come true and the city showered him with love in return. Unlike some foreign owners, the secretive businessman embraced the wider community and Leicester supporters do not have a bad word to say about him. They talk affectionately about him handing out 60 free season tickets to mark his 60th birthday in April this year. They speak about him donating £2m towards building a new children’s hospital in Leicester, £1m to the city’s university medical department, £100,000 to the fund to rebury Richard III in 2015 and £23,000 to a fan who was raising money for research into MECP2 syndrome, his son’s rare genetic disorder. | Vichai made impossible dreams come true and the city showered him with love in return. Unlike some foreign owners, the secretive businessman embraced the wider community and Leicester supporters do not have a bad word to say about him. They talk affectionately about him handing out 60 free season tickets to mark his 60th birthday in April this year. They speak about him donating £2m towards building a new children’s hospital in Leicester, £1m to the city’s university medical department, £100,000 to the fund to rebury Richard III in 2015 and £23,000 to a fan who was raising money for research into MECP2 syndrome, his son’s rare genetic disorder. |
| “I struggled to sleep last night,” Connell said. “He’s taken us from being a second division side with no hope of going anywhere to what we’re doing now. Without him we wouldn’t be in the Premier League. Who’s to say where we would be? He’s had a great influence on the lives of everyone here. We might not have met him individually but he’s had a massive impact on every Leicester fan’s life.” | “I struggled to sleep last night,” Connell said. “He’s taken us from being a second division side with no hope of going anywhere to what we’re doing now. Without him we wouldn’t be in the Premier League. Who’s to say where we would be? He’s had a great influence on the lives of everyone here. We might not have met him individually but he’s had a massive impact on every Leicester fan’s life.” |
| Read more here: | Read more here: |
| Stuart James reported on Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League win, and wrote this about the club owner who made it possible: | Stuart James reported on Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League win, and wrote this about the club owner who made it possible: |
| Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a Thai billionaire, bought Leicester for £39m and oversaw a magical story of sporting triumph against the odds that rejuvenated a city, never mind a football club, and captured the imagination of people all over the world. | Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a Thai billionaire, bought Leicester for £39m and oversaw a magical story of sporting triumph against the odds that rejuvenated a city, never mind a football club, and captured the imagination of people all over the world. |
| The full text of the Leicester City statement reads as follows: | The full text of the Leicester City statement reads as follows: |
| “It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived. | “It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived. |
| “The primary thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss. | “The primary thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss. |
| “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. | “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. |
| “A book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 30 October for supporters wishing to pay their respects. | “A book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 30 October for supporters wishing to pay their respects. |
| “Supporters unable to visit King Power Stadium that wish to leave a message can do so through an online book of condolence, which will be made available via lcfc.com in due course. | “Supporters unable to visit King Power Stadium that wish to leave a message can do so through an online book of condolence, which will be made available via lcfc.com in due course. |
| “Both Tuesday’s First Team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the Development Squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed. | “Both Tuesday’s First Team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the Development Squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed. |
| “Everyone at the Club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time.” | “Everyone at the Club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time.” |
| Leicester City’s players have paid tribute to Vichai. The defender Harry Maguire has tweeted: “Words can’t describe how I feel. A truly great, kind, loving man who will be missed so much by everyone. I will never forget the Chairman’s support, not only during my time @LCFC but also during the World Cup RIP #TheBoss.” | Leicester City’s players have paid tribute to Vichai. The defender Harry Maguire has tweeted: “Words can’t describe how I feel. A truly great, kind, loving man who will be missed so much by everyone. I will never forget the Chairman’s support, not only during my time @LCFC but also during the World Cup RIP #TheBoss.” |
| 💔💔😢 https://t.co/aW6LIa8uCI | 💔💔😢 https://t.co/aW6LIa8uCI |
| Leicester City’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, died in the helicopter crash outside the club’s stadium on Saturday night alongside the five people onboard. | Leicester City’s owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, died in the helicopter crash outside the club’s stadium on Saturday night alongside the five people onboard. |
| The accident occurred around an hour after Leicester’s draw at home to West Ham United. The Thai owner’s helicopter crashed near a car park near the south-east corner of the stadium shortly after taking off from the pitch at around 8.20pm. | The accident occurred around an hour after Leicester’s draw at home to West Ham United. The Thai owner’s helicopter crashed near a car park near the south-east corner of the stadium shortly after taking off from the pitch at around 8.20pm. |
| Leicester City confirmed the news in a statement on Sunday night. “It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived,” read a club statement.” | Leicester City confirmed the news in a statement on Sunday night. “It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived,” read a club statement.” |