Nursara Suknamai, a former Miss Universe Thailand contestant, has been identified as one of the five people that were killed in the helicopter crash that took the life of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
According to reports, Suknamai was one of the five people who were aboard the helicopter owner by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha that crashed outside of the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, on Saturday, October 27. The helicopter, which was reportedly headed to London, crashed around 8:38 p.m. local time outside the King Power Stadium after Leicester City’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
In total, all five people on board were killed: Srivaddhanaprabha, Suknamai, another passenger, and two crew members. 53-year-old pilot Eric Swaffer, 46-year-old, Kaveporn Punpare, Suknamai, and Srivaddhanaprabha have been identified as the victims of the tragedy.
Initial reports indicated that the helicopter failed upon take-off which resulted in a fire, causing the helicopter to crash.
At this time, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is currently leading an investigation into the accident.
Leicester City Football Club released the following statement about Srivaddhanaprabha’s passing, saying in part:
“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 crash 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.”
Under Srivaddhanaprabha’s ownership, Leicester City won the Premier League title during the 2015-16 season. Srivaddhanaprabha bought Leicester in August 2010 and became the club’s chairman less than six months later.
In addition to owning Leicester City, Srivaddhanaprabha was the founder, owner, and chairman of King Power Duty-Free.
The team’s game in the EFL cup against Southampton on Tuesday, October 30, has been postponed.
