Tributes pour in as 2018 Leicester City helicopter crash inquest begins

Tributes are being paid to five people who died in a helicopter crash outside Leicester City's King Power Stadium, as their deaths are investigated more than six years later.

Foxes chief Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed along with fellow passengers Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz on 27 October 2018.

An inquest has begun at Leicester City Hall, expected to last two to three weeks, with a jury to determine the identity of the deceased and when, where and how they died.

In a pencil portrait tribute to Vichai, his family described him as a person of boundless energy who was a natural entrepreneur.

In the tribute, read to the court by the family's barrister, Philip Shepherd KC, relatives said: “Khun Vichai was the leader of our family, a caring and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather.”

“We feel his loss today as much as ever. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to us all, and we all loved him very much.”

“It is impossible to describe Khun Vichai in words. He had the best qualities. He was loved by all for his good spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humor and intelligence.”

The pen image ended with a video being shown on a large screen in the stadium, in tribute to his role in reviving Leicester City’s fortunes, including the club’s victory in the English Premier League title in 2016.

The second honor described Mr Swaffer as someone who loved flying and had a “wicked sense of humour”.

He was read to the jury by his partner's sister, Mrs Lekhovich, a fellow pilot who also died in the crash.

Kate Lechowicz said of Mr. Swaffer: “He was great company. He had a deep love for aviation, technology, travel, his motorcycle and life in general. There was nothing he didn't try. He excelled at everything he did.” “

Remembering her brother, Mrs Lekhovich said her “warm, caring and hardworking” sister was an “extraordinary person”.

“She had a passion for life, but above all she was a dedicated pilot,” Ms. Lechowicz added.

A report issued by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), Published September 2023It found the crash was “inevitable” after a series of mechanical failures, and said the pilot could have done “very little” to save everyone on board.