Leicester Helicopter Crash: Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Confirmed Amongst Five Dead After Helicopter Crashed And Burst Into Flames At King Power Stadium

Leicester City football club's owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha died after his helicopter spiralled out of controlled and crashed at the King Power stadium, the club has confirmed.

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.

Bunches of flowers and tributes had been laid at the stadium on Sunday morning.

A statement from Leicester City Football Club said: "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. None of the five people on-board survived.

"The primary thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss.

"In Khun Vichai, the world has lost a great man. 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. Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the club that is now his legacy."

Witnesses saw the helicopter spin out of control and plummet to the ground near the club’s staff car park at about 8.30pm on Saturday after Leicester’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.

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

Shocking images showed a wall of flames and smoke billowing into the sky after the helicopter crash which sent people running for their lives.

The air accident watchdog has launched an investigation into the crash which has been described as "the darkest day in the club's his

A sea of floral tributes at the Leicester City ground (REUTERS)

Fans were gathering to lay tributes outside the stadium on Sunday morning. Small bouquets were left outside the ground by members of the public on Sunday morning alongside a large image of the Hindu god Ganesh which was also propped up in amidst the flowers.

Leicester City chairman VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha and vice chairman AiyawattSrivaddhanaprabha with the trophy as they celebrate winning the Premier League in 2016 (REUTERS)

A small candle was placed in front of the flowers as more people gradually gathered to pray for anybody who may have been on the helicopter. Messages from Leicester fans on the flowers included "In our thoughts!!" and "Thank you xx".
Emergency services at the scene where a helicopter has crashed outside the King Power stadium in Leicester (EPA)

BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey appeared to confirm that Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was on board the helicopter as he discussed Leicester’s draw with West Ham with the pundits on Saturday. As the helicopter prepared for take off on the pitch behind them, he said: “As you can see, the owners are now heading off.”

A helicopter belonging to Leicester City football club owner VichaiSrivaddhanaprabha at the King Power Stadium before it crashed (REUTERS)

The club's owner was known for arriving and leaving the stadium in his helicopter at home games.

Witnesses told Sky Sports News the helicopter took off from the pitch but lost control within a few seconds and crashed in the club's staff car park.

Emergency services outside the King Power Stadium in Leicester (PA)

The website Planefinder said that Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter set off from near Fairoaks Airport in Surrey at about 2.45pm on Saturday, and travelled into Fulham, west London, before turning north and proceeding to the King Power Stadium in Leicester.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who owned the King Power company, bought Leicester in 2010 and became chairman the following February, leading the club as they became Premier League champions in 2015-16.
Fans gather at the stadium after the helicopter crash on Sunday night (AFP/Getty Images)

One man, who wished not to be named, but has had a season ticket for over 40 years, said: "I saw (Leicester goalkeeper) Kasper Schmeichel run out first and then loads of security guards and stewards.

"I was stood outside the ground but it crashed on the other side. I hope everyone is OK."

Police and emergency services work at the scene of a helicopter crash at The King Power Stadium (Getty Images)

Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett said people were "running for their lives" in the aftermath of the crash.

"The car park was still populated with people at the time whether that was members of staff leaving the stadium or spectators watching the game. It's so close to the stadium, a couple of hundred metres

– if that – from the stands.

"There has be to concern for people who are walking back to their cars or get buses back to the train station and any impact that would have.

"An eyewitness and his nephew ran for their lives, they were that concerned they were going to be hit by the wreckage of the helicopter. It burst into flames as it hit the ground."

Footballers and high-profile sporting figures have expressed their shock after the crash with players and pundits sharing their horror at the events following the game between Leicester and West Ham.

BBC Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker tweeted shortly after the incident that the crash "looks horrendous", adding: "Not sure yet if any, or how many casualties. Thoughts with everyone concerned."

He later said it was the "most difficult @BBCMOTD I've ever hosted", calling the crash a "terrible tragedy" and "heartbreaking".
The helicopter erupts in a fireball outside the King Power stadium (PA/Sky Sports News)

BT Sport host Humphrey said everyone was evacuated from the stadium in the aftermath of the incident, adding that "huge numbers" of emergency service crews were at the scene.

"Thoughts and love to all involved," he tweeted. "A day I can't wait to end."

Robbie Savage called it an "absolutely terrible terrible day", while Gabby Logan said she could not stop thinking of the club.

A supporter adds flowers and a Leicester City scarf to floral tributes lined up outside Leicester City Football Club's King Power Stadium in Leicester (AFP/Getty Images)

Several Leicester City players tweeted praying hands emojis, including Riyad Mahrez, Andy King and Jamie Vardy.

West Ham footballers also shared their shock, with Pablo Zabaleta tweeting: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in the helicopter accident at Leicester City."

Baroness Brady, vice-chairman of West Ham, said: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone at Leicester City, horrific pictures on the news, I pray everyone is ok. I can confirm everyone from WHU has safely left the stadium."

Jonathan Ashworth, MP for Leicester South, described "awful, horrific scenes" at the stadium, tweeting: "I've been in touch with our emergency services and thanked them for responding so quickly. Our hopes and prayers for all those caught up in this desperately awful incident."

Dozens of English football clubs also tweeted their support for Leicester, while the Football Association said: "Our thoughts are with all at @LCFC following the major incident after their game at the King Power Stadium tonight."

Normalcy Returns Back To Kaduna After Relaxation Of Curfew

Normalcy is gradually returning to the Kaduna State capital and its environs following the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew that was imposed by the state government last week Friday.

The Curfew was relaxed in the affected areas of the state capital from 6 am to 5 pm with no incident of violence reported since it was imposed.

Governor Nasiru El-Rufai had reimposed a 24-hour curfew in the state capital after the city was engulfed by violence as a result of the killing of the Traditional Ruler of Adara Chiefdom in Kachia Local Government Area, Chief Maiwada Galadima by suspected kidnappers.

On Sunday, the state government adjusted the curfew, and residents are now returning to their various businesses.

Although markets, motor parks, schools, financial institutions reopened for normal activities, most traders at the various markets in the state capital did not open due to fear of the unknown.

However, there is still the presence of security agencies in the metropolis to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.

Buhari Receives Governor General Of Canada

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received the Governor General Of Canada, Julie Payette.

Ms Payette was received at the courtyard of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, alongside officials in her entourage.

She is scheduled to address journalists after the meeting with President Buhari.

Thereafter, she will deliver a lecture at the National Space Research and Development Centre Agency.

The Governor General of Canada is the Federal Vice-Regal representative of the Canadian, that is Queen Elizabeth the second of England.

20 Persons, 17 Motorcycles Missing In Boat Mishap At Buruku

Reverend Jacob Aernyi, the Special Adviser to Benue Governor on Religious Affairs and Civil Society, has sympathised with the families of victims of a boat mishap, in which no fewer than 20 persons were missing.

Aernyi told newsmen that he got details of the incident on Thursday in his office in Makurdi through the Secretary, Buruku River Workers’ Union, Mr Samuel Nakombo.

He described the incident at River Buruku, where many lives and property were lost as very unfortunate and called for more proactive measures by the Federal Government.

The special adviser said a boat conveying more than 20 passengers and carrying some Bajaj motorcycles was sailing on Wednesday evening when the ugly incident occurred.

He said that more than 20 passengers were still missing while about 17 Bajaj motorcycles were yet to be recovered.

The special adviser noted with dismay the continued loss of lives and property at River Buruku, saying it was high time adequate measures be taken to stop such mishaps.

He recalled that in December 2013, a similar incident had claimed many lives.

PBS Newshour Sued You Can't Fire Me For Admiring Meghan Markle!!!

Meghan Markle's drop-dead-gorgeous looks are having unintended consequences for a writer, who claims PBS NewsHour canned him due to a comment he made about the Duchess' looks.

Hugh Heckman, an award-winning newswriter, is suing over his firing. In docs, obtained by TMZ, he says on November 25, 2017, a female coworker sitting 20 feet from his desk complained to her boss after hearing him say "not bad" in reference to a photo of Meghan they were using for a story.

He says another female employee overheard and chimed in, "Haven't you learned?"

Heckman says he was embarrassed because he didn't mean it in a sexual way, and only wanted to convey he thought Meghan "possessed charm and beauty and was a suitable match for her fiance."

He says 2 days later he was fired. In the suit, Heckman says he heard the same 2 female coworkers once call Justin Trudeau "hot," but they were not fired. He's pissed about what he calls an obvious double standard at PBS NewsHour.

Heckman is suing for wrongful termination based on gender. We've reached out to PBS NewsHour ... so far no word back.

The Game Gets Arrest Warrant Dropped

The Game is free to move about the country without fear of the U.S. Marshals swooping in on him -- he just got an arrest warrant dropped.

The federal judge in his sexual assault lawsuit yanked the warrant after Game's attorneys handed over the financial documents that have been requested more than 3 weeks ago. TMZ broke the story ... the judge gave Game 48 hours to hand over several records, and when he didn't ... the judge issued the warrant.

As we've told you ... Game lost the lawsuit filed by Priscilla Rainey -- a former contestant on his reality show, "She's Got Game" -- and was ordered to pay her $7 million.

Pastor, Two Others Allegedly Kill Nurse In Makurdi

A chief magistrates’ court in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has remanded a pastor identified as Sabastine Igwe, as well as James Akpa, and Michael Ochigbo for allegedly killing a nurse.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the prosecutor, ASP Edward Imo, told the court that the Pastor and his accomplice allegedly murdered the nurse at Anwu Village near Makurdi.

Imo stated that the case was transferred from Obusa Divisional Police Headquarters to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department on October 17.

The Prosecutor said that one Chief Joseph Awugo of Anwu Village in Idele Oju Local Council in Benue reported the case at the Obusa Police Station, Anwu.

He said, “The nurse identified as Favour Nwojiji, from Abakaliki was found with several machete cuts on her body. 

‘’The police investigation revealed that the accused and others now at large conspired and murdered the nurse.’’

The prosecutor also said investigation into the matter was still ongoing and requested for time to enable the police complete its investigation.

However, the plea of the accused persons could not be taken for want of jurisdiction.

The offences contravened Section 97 and 222 of the Penal Code, Laws of Benue State, as amended.

The Magistrate, Mr Isaac Ajim, adjourned the case until November 26, for further mention.