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HONG KONG, China, Oct 29 – The death of Thai billionaire and Leicester City football club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash has shocked fans, but it is not the first air accident in sport.
Here are eight other aviation disasters to hit the sports world:
– Manchester United –
Eight members of Manchester United's 'Busby Babes' team were among 23 people who died when they crashed in Munich on February 6, 1958.
England superstar Duncan Edwards was in those killed, while Sir Bobby Charlton – who went on to win the World Cup with England – was only slightly hurt. Manager Matt Busby recovered from serious injuries and rebuilt United in a force that would win the European Cup a decade later, in 1968.
– Rocky Marciano –
American boxing legend Rocky Marciano was killed when he crashed into a tree in the US state of Iowa on August 31, 1969. Marciano, 45 when he died, was world heavyweight champion between 1952 and 1956 retired undefeated with a 49-0 record.
– Uruguay rugby team –
Uruguay's Old Christians rugby team were on the road and in the remote Andes mountain range on October 13, 1972. Only 16 of the 45 on board were rescued, two-and-a-half months later – during which time the starving survivors where to stay in the accident.
– Zambia football team –
On April 27, 1993, an aircraft carrying Zambia's national football team crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from Gabon, en route to play Senegal in a World Cup qualifier, killing all 25 on board. The team was recognized by the African nation, having thrashed Italy 4-0 at the 1988 Olympic Games. Report to the crash, issued to the future, blamed pilot error and an engine problem.
– Matthew Harding –
In a incident with striking similarities to the Leicester crash, Matthew Harding, vice-chairman of the Chelsea Premier League football club, died on October 22, 1996 when he flew back against Bolton Wanderers.
Like Vichai, the popular Harding is known for his largesse and millions of pounds into his club.
– Payne Stewart –
The flamboyant American golfer Payne Stewart was killed on October 25, 1999 after a fall in the US state of South Dakota. Stewart, aged 42 when he died, had 11 PGA Tour victories and three major titles.
– Russian ice hockey team –
A plane carrying a top-tier Russian ice hockey team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crashed out of the capital of Belarus, capital of Minsk. All of the players were killed.
– Chapecoense –
A plane carrying Brazil's Chapecoense football team ran out of fuel and crashed in the Andes near Medellin, Colombia, on November 28, 2016.
Seventy-one of the 77 people on board have been killed, including 16 of the 19 players. Chapecoense were en route to play the first leg of the final South American Copa against Colombia's Atletico Nacional.
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