Opinion

Widespread shock over Leicester City tragedy

The death of the chairman of Leicester City football club, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and four other people in a devastating helicopter crash was a tragedy of enormous proportions.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s aircraft came down in a car park outside the King Power stadium, seconds after television viewers watched as it took off from the pitch following Saturday night’s match against West Ham.

The Thai billionaire was revered in Leicester for providing the investment which facilitated the club’s astonishing 2016 Premiership triumph.

However, he also won massive respect for his seven-figure charitable donations to a hospital, a university and a range of community groups in the city.

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha had plainly used his wealth for strongly positive purposes and there will be huge regret over the accident which claimed five lives in such shocking circumstances.