Leicester City Owner’s 2018 Helicopter Crash: Inquest Opens

Proceedings begin for the 2018 helicopter crash that killed Leicester City FC owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others.
Crash occurred moments after takeoff from King Power Stadium following a Premier League match.
Coroner emphasizes the inquest’s purpose to uncover facts, not assign blame or determine legal guilt.

An inquest into the 2018 helicopter crash that claimed the life of Leicester City Football Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others began on Monday.

The tragedy occurred when the Thai billionaire’s personal helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from King Power Stadium following a Premier League match in October 2018.

Presiding coroner Catherine Mason explained to the jury that, under English law, an inquest aims to establish the facts surrounding a person’s death, without assigning blame or determining guilt.

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“An inquest hears evidence so the jury can make findings of fact and come to a conclusion about the deaths,” said Mason, sitting at Leicester City Hall. “Nobody is on trial here.

“An inquest does not decide matters of criminal or civil liability,” added Mason, who also said the hearing was expected to last for between two and three weeks.

In a tribute read to the court by the lawyer for the family of Srivaddhanaprabha, he was described as “a good man with a good heart”.

The family statement also paid tribute to his role in reviving Leicester’s fortunes and bankrolling their shock Premier League title triumph in 2016 after the Midlands club were 5,000/1 rank outsiders to be crowned champions of England at the start of that season.

“Khun Vichai had a vision to the put the club in the Premier League. He wanted to build the club up, not just run it.

“With his support and commitment the team won the Premier League in 2016 — in only their second year in the division.