Sad End Of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the billionaire who bankrolled Leicester’s Premier League triumph with His Time & Money
A Special Cerutti Media tribute (1)
Indeed, Marcus Aurelius was right to submit that “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live”
Such is the fact about the man who made a miracle happen: Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the billionaire who bankrolled Leicester’s Premier League triumph, forged a deep bond with the club’s players and fans, as tearful Leicester City fans have gathered to lay flowers at the King Power Stadium today after reports the club's owner was on board a helicopter which crashed and burst into flames on Sunday.
The helicopter - feared to have been carrying popular owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha - and two pilots crashed in the corner of a car park moments after taking off from the centre circle after a Premier League game yesterday.
Early reports said Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's daughter was on board with him at the time, although sources at Leicester FC have since denied this. The BBC has reported that a family source said the owner himself was on board.
Fans who gathered at the ground this morning called it Leicester's 'darkest day', paying tribute to the owner who helped them to a miracle Premier League triumph in 2016.
Police have yet to comment on the condition of Mr Srivaddhanaprahba, 60, who has four children. With fans waiting desperately for news police said this afternoon they were 'working with a number of other agencies' to release a statement.
Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's helicopter was heading for Luton Airport where he was due to catch a flight to Thailand, Leicester sources said today.
Witnesses have said the 'engine stopped' in the air before the helicopter plummeted to the ground at around 8.45pm.
As Premier League fixtures resumed today there was a minute's applause held at Crystal Palace in solidarity with Leicester, and a minute's silence at Burnley, even as fans did not yet know the outcome of the crash.
Outside the stadium today a sea of flowers and blue football scarves has grown as fans wait anxiously for news on the helicopter disaster.
Karen Kennell, 60, a primary school teacher from Leicester, said: 'I was at the game yesterday and I was at home when I heard the news just after half past eight.
*The footballing world, along with the Midlands town in which he had become a folk hero, is mourning the loss of Leicester City owner and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter accident Saturday night.
The club's beloved owner was on board his helicopter, which lost control and crashed into a parking lot near the King Power Stadium on Saturday, a statement released by the club said Sunday.
Srivaddhanaprabha, a retail magnate and billionaire from Thailand, was one of five people on board the aircraft when it burst into flames after crashing, the club said. No one on board survived.
"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 statement described the chairman as a "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."
A book of condolences will be opened at the King Power Stadium starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30, the club said.
Players taking part in Monday's league game between Manchester City and Spurs will wear black armbands as a sign of respect.
Universal love, respect
A huge outpouring of love for the man who transformed the Foxes' fortunes -- leading to an against-all-odds, fairytale triumph in the Premier League in the 2015-16 season -- was evident at the stadium and online, as fans and football luminaries alike paid tribute.
Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore released a statement saying the league was devastated by the news.
"Our deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts go to the Srivaddhanaprabha family and all the relatives and friends of those involved in this tragic accident," a statement read.
"Vichai was a gentleman who graced the game with his civility and charm and we will miss him enormously. His impact on Leicester -- the football club and city -- will be remembered forever."
Liverpool's American owners, John W. Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon also issued a statement.
"The admiration we have for Vichai, his family and colleagues is as high as you can imagine, both professionally and personally.
"He was the ultimate custodian for the club he bought and then gracefully served. The Premier League title win, one of world football's all-time great stories, is of course the standout achievement.
"But beyond that, he led his club in a manner which all of us in this privileged position aspire to. Success on the pitch, allied with outstanding governance off it."
Premier League stars also paid their respects. Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah called it a "truly sad day for football," in a tweet.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who tragically passed away," he wrote.
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