Leicester city owner among 5 dead in helicopter crash

A helicopter which was carrying the owner of Leicester City Football Club crashed in flames near the club's ground, killing five people.

The helicopter took off from the King Power Stadium at about 20:30 BST on Saturday, as it often does after Leicester City games.

The club has confirmed its owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two members of his staff, the pilot and a passenger were killed when the aircraft spiralled out of control and crashed in a fireball on Saturday.

A bang was heard shortly after and the helicopter was seen spiralling out of control, then crashing in flames in a car park.

According to witness "The blades had stopped spinning and then there was a big bang and a big fireball. Lots of people started running towards the scene; as I came around the corner there was a huge fireball.

"It crashed right near the stadium. It just cleared the stadium roof and landed in an industrial park next to it."

The cause of the crash is still unknown.

An investigation into the crash is being led by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which investigates civil aircraft accidents across the UK.

They have sent a team to the site to investigate but asked anyone with information to contact the police.

Italian aerospace company Leonardo SpA said on Sunday it was ready to help an investigation into the crash of one of its AW169 helicopters at Leicester City soccer club on Saturday, adding that it was the first accident involving the aircraft.

Stunned Leicester City fans have gathered at the club's ground after its owner's helicopter crashed and exploded outside the stadium.

Fans of all ages laid shirts, flowers and scarves. One child cried as she held her parents' hands, one man couldn't find the words to express his despair.

Most stood in silence as they thought about the Thai billionaire who means everything to this provincial English football team in the country's East Midlands.