file photo
By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal
LONDON
A helicopter belonging to the chairman of English Premiership club Leicester City crashed outside the club’s King Power Stadium on Saturday, with the chairman believed to be inside, according to local reports.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha is also the club owner, and the crash took place following a home game against West Ham.
“Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident at the King Power Stadium, in Leicester, after an aircraft came down in a car park behind the ground earlier this evening,” a statement by the Leicestershire Police said shortly after the crash.
“Officers are working alongside the ambulance service, Leicester Fire and Rescue Service, the Air Accident Investigation Branch and Leicester City Football Club to establish the exact circumstances of the collision,” it said.
Srivaddhanaprabha, a Thai businessman, bought the club for £39 million ($50 million) in 2010. Leicester City won the title in 2016 after returning to the premiership in 2014 under Srivaddhanaprabha.
The police gave no details of the identity of the passengers at the time of the accident.
A Leicester City spokesman said: “We are assisting Leicestershire Police and the emergency services in dealing with a major incident at King Power Stadium. The Club will issue a more detailed statement once further information has been established.”
