Family of Leicester owner killed in helicopter crash pay heartbreaking tribute at £2.15bn inquest
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Inquests into the death of five people who were killed in the Leicester City helicopter disaster began this morning (January 13). Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, 60, died alongside pilots Eric Swaffer, 53, and Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46, in October 2018. The billionaire tycoon’s PA Kaveporn Punpare, 33, and assistant Nusara Suknamai, 32, also died in the tragedy.
They were killed when the helicopter spun out of control and burst into flames in the car park of the King Power Stadium. It had taken off seconds earlier to take Mr Srivaddhanaprabha back to his home in London after the match against West Ham. An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report published in September 2023 said a tail rotor system failure was to blame for the crash.
Senior coroner Prof Catherine Mason described the horrific crash as a “tragic, well-known accident”. She told jurors how the helicopter “went out of control” when it reached a position just above the height of the stadium. It then crashed into the car park of the 32,000-capacity stadium and exploded in a fireball, killing all five onboard. The three-week jury inquest at Leicester city hall began by hearing ‘pen portrait’ tributes to the five victims.
Philip Shepherd, counsel on behalf of Vichai, read out a tribute to the billionaire from his family. “He was the leader of our family, a caring and devoted husband. A caring father, uncle and grandfather,” read the statement. “We feel the loss of him as much as we have ever done. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to us all and we all love him very much.
