Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha among five dead after helicopter crash

The Thai billionaire departed after his side’s 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham, before the aircraft he had boarded crashed into the car park just moments later.

It was confirmed on Sunday evening that the 60-year-old had died in the incident, along with two members of his staff - Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare. Pilot Eric Swaffer, and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, also died in the crash.

Witnesses said the helicopter just cleared the King Power Stadium before it spiralled out of control and crashed in a fireball.

Thousands of bouquets and scarves have already been left outside the ground, while Leicester's players were in shock and posted moving messages online.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel wrote: "I am so totally devastated and heartbroken. I cannot believe what I saw. It just doesn't seem real!

"It is difficult to put into words how much you have meant to this football club and to the city of Leicester. You cared so deeply for the entire community. Your endless contribution to Leicester's hospitals and charities will never be forgotten.

The club released the following statement:

"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," the club statement said.

The club described Mr Srivaddhanaprabha as "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".

It added: "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 will be opened at King Power Stadium on Tuesday and Leicester's next match, against Southampton in the League Cup, has been postponed.