Family pays tribute to Leicester City owner as helicopter crash inquest opens
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The relatives of the owner of Leicester City Football Club who died in a helicopter crash have paid tribute to him as a family man who was a “great inspiration”. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who bought the club in 2010, died in the crash on October 27 2018 after the helicopter he was travelling in crashed and burst into flames at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, killing him and four others onboard.
During the jury inquest, which began on Monday at Leicester City Hall more than six years after the crash, senior coroner Professor Catherine Mason heard a pen portrait written by the family of Khun Vichai. In a tribute read to the court by family barrister Philip Shepherd KC, the relatives said: “Khun Vichai was the leader of our family, a caring and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather.
“We feel the loss of him as much today 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 loved him very much. “It’s impossible to put Khun Vichai into words. He possessed all of the best qualities. He was adored by everyone for his kind spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humour and intellect.”.
The family statement added: “Many will remember Khun Vichai as the chairman of Leicester City Football Club. When he bought the club in 2010, it was languishing in the Championship. “Khun Vichai had a vision to put the club in the Premier League. He wanted to build the club up, not just run it.
