Jamie Vardy holds wife Rebekah's hand as couple break down in tears at Leicester City helicopter crash site

Jamie Vardy held his wife Rebekah's hand as he broke down in tears at the crash site
(Credit too long, see caption)
Ella Wills30 October 2018

Jamie Vardy and his wife Rebekah broke down in tears today as they laid a wreath at the King Power Stadium in memory of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha following his tragic death.

The Thai billionaire was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening.

Vardy held his wife's hand as they paid tribute to the owner while grieving fans watched on on Tuesday.

Leicestershire Police said the others who died in the helicopter crash were Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, who were members of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's staff, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

The couple laid a wreath at the site on Tuesday
Rex Features

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has recovered the helicopter's black boxes, voice and data, and are working on them at their Farnborough base.

Jamie and Rebekah Vardy visit the site of the helicopter crash
Rex Features

On Monday, Vardy shared an image of himself online with Mr Srivaddhanaprabha calling him a "legend".

He said on Instagram: "Struggling to find the right words, but to me you are a legend, an incredible man who had the biggest heart, the soul of Leicester City Football Club.

"Thank you for everything you did for me, my family and our club. I will truly miss you, may you rest in peace."

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was the driving force of Leicester's rise from the Championship to the top of the Premier League, bringing together a band of nomadic players who were superbly guided by manager Claudio Ranieri.

Leicester City fans have flocked to the stadium to sign a book of remembrance in honour of the owner.

The book, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, opened at the stadium at 8am on Tuesday.

An online book was also opened on Tuesday for supporters who are unable to visit the King Power Stadium and wish to pay their respects.

Mourners sign book of condolence in Leicester

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Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's son Aiyawatt was among those to lay a wreath at the ground on Monday, where hundreds of tributes have been left.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's wife Aimon Srivaddhanaprabha, Somyot Poompanmoung, president of the Thai FA, and Mr Poompanmoung's wife, Potjaman Poompanmoung, were among those who also visited the scene.

The Duke of Cambridge and Prime Minister Theresa May said their thoughts were with the victims' families, friends and the supporters.

A helicopter is engulfed in flames outside the King Power stadium in Leicester
AP

William, president of the Football Association and a keen football fan, said he was lucky to have known Mr Srivaddhanaprabha for several years.

Players paid tribute on social media to Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who became chairman of the club in 2011.

He was killed, along with two staff members, the pilot and a passenger, when the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

The four other victims were employees Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a professional pilot.

Mr Swaffer has been hailed a hero for steering the spinning aircraft away from crowds of people on the ground.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is carrying out an investigation into what caused the Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter to crash a few hours after the Foxes drew 1-1 with West Ham.

The club's Premier League game with Cardiff City this weekend will go ahead as planned, it was announced on Tuesday.

Leicester City postponed Tuesday's League Cup fixture with Southampton, along with the The FA Women's Championship match against Manchester United in light of the crash.

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