Weepy Leicester City fans gathered to lay flowers at the King Power Stadium Sunday after the owner's helicopter came crashing down to earth and burst into flames shortly after taking off from the ground on Saturday night.
The helicopter was conveying popular owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60, two crew members and two passengers when it took off from the centre circle after Leicester's draw with West Ham yesterday evening.
Supporters branded it ‘darkest day', of Leicester City paying tribute to the much-loved owner who helped them to a miracle Premier League victory in 2016.
Mr. Srivaddhanaprabha's helicopter was heading for Luton Airport where he was due to catch a flight to Thailand, Leicester sources said yesterday.
Witnesses say they heard the ‘engine stop' in mid-air just after take-off before the aircraft plummeted to the ground in the club's car park at around 8.30pm. As Premier League fixtures resume yesterday, there was a minute's applause held at Crystal Palace in solidarity with Leicester City, and a minute's silence at Manchester United and Burnley, even with fans still in the dark over the outcome of the crash.
Initial reports say Mr. Srivaddhanaprabha's daughter was on board the aircraft last night, but these have been denied by sources at Leicester City.
Karen Kennell, 60, a primary school teacher from Leicester City, said: ‘I was at the game yesterday and I was at home when I heard the news just after half-past eight.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 years ago
