Minute's applause held for Leicester City helicopter crash victims

A minute's applause has taken place at Leicester City's stadium to mark the fifth anniversary of a helicopter crash that killed five people.

The club's chairman, Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, and four others were killed in the accident at the King Power Stadium in 2018.

Home and away supporters both joined the tribute before the kick-off against Sunderland on Tuesday evening.

Leicester City went on to win the game 1-0.

The crash on 27 October 2018 claimed the lives of Mr Vichai, two members of his staff - Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare - and pilots and partners Eric Swaffer and Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

They were leaving the stadium following a Premier League match against West Ham when the helicopter spun out of control and crashed outside the ground.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch's final report said the crash was "inevitable" after a sequence of mechanical failures.

The club said the applause was an opportunity for the "Leicester City family to show its appreciation and respect" to the victims and to celebrate Mr Vichai's legacy.

Current Foxes manager Enzo Maresca, who has been in post since June, said he was at the King Power Stadium on the night of the crash as part of West Ham United's backroom team.

"That night I was at the stadium. I was working with West Ham, so I was on the bench that night so I remember perfectly," he said.

"When something like this happens it's always sad."

He described Mr Vichai's legacy as "unbelievable" and said the club was lucky to still have the backing of his family.

On Tuesday, fans were also invited to pay their respects at the stadium's VS Memorial Garden, which has been dedicated to the five victims.

It opened on the first anniversary of the crash and is named after Mr Vichai.

The club said floral tributes left over the past five years, including those left at the stadium site in the days following the crash, had been composted and used in the garden.

Mr Vichai's legacy also continues through the club's charitable foundation, which was renamed in the chairman's honour after his death and supports community projects across the city and county.

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