The inquest into the tragic 2018 helicopter crash that claimed the life of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of Leicester City Football Club, along with four others, began on Monday. The fatal accident occurred shortly after the billionaire’s private helicopter took off from King Power Stadium following a Premier League match.
Catherine Mason, the coroner overseeing the proceedings at Leicester City Hall, clarified the purpose of the inquest under English law. She emphasized that the jury’s role is solely to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and not to assign criminal or civil liability. “Nobody is on trial here,” Mason explained, stating the inquest is expected to last two to three weeks.
A tribute from Srivaddhanaprabha’s family, read by their lawyer, honored him as “a good man with a good heart.” The statement reflected on his transformative impact on Leicester City FC, highlighting his ambition to elevate the club, which culminated in their stunning Premier League triumph in 2016. Despite starting the season as 5,000/1 underdogs, Leicester shocked the football world by clinching the title under his ownership.
“Khun Vichai had a vision to put the club in the Premier League. He wanted to build the club up, not just run it. With his support and commitment, the team won the Premier League in 2016 — in only their second year in the division. We miss him every day. The pain his death caused and continues to cause our family is immeasurable,” the family said in their emotional statement.
In a related development, Srivaddhanaprabha’s family recently launched a £2.15 billion ($2.63 billion) lawsuit against the helicopter manufacturers. This legal action, reportedly the largest fatal accident claim in English history, seeks accountability for the tragic crash.
The inquest is expected to uncover critical facts about the accident while the family’s legal battle underscores the immense loss and pursuit of justice in the wake of the disaster.
