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Leicester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – A helicopter belonging to Thai Typhoon Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed on Saturday at the UK football club Leicester City.
The helicopter was seen in flames in the mobile phone images shot at the scene and the photographer.
The helicopter crashed after Saturday's game against West Ham in the Premier League club's car park King Power Stadium – the scene of jubilation two years ago when underdog Leicester City won the Premier League in a remarkable footballing feat.
Police said: "We are dealing with an incident in the vicinity of the King Power Stadium.
Thai businessman Srivaddhanaprabha, who has poured millions into the club, often leaves the stadium in his helicopter, which takes off from the pitch, when he looks forward to Leicester home game.
The identities of the pilot and any passengers on board have not yet been confirmed. It is also known to anyone on the ground injured.
"We are assisting Leicestershire Police and the emergency services in dealing with a major incident at King Power Stadium," the club said in a statement.
Srivaddhanaprabha, who owns the King Power company, bought the club in 2010 and became chairman of the following February.
Leicester City footballers Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire both tweeted praying hands emojis.
A witness told Sky News: "I hope they're okay, do not seem like they've had a lot of luck, just burst into flames."
Jonathan Ashworth, Labor MP for Leicester South, tweeted: "Awful horrific scenes at @LCFC with the helicopter crash.We have been in touch with our emergency services and thank you for responding. in this desperately awful incident. "
The local ambulance service said it was alerted at 2138 GMT.
"We have a doctor, two paramedics in ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team, with the first resource coming within two minutes of the call," it tweeted.
Sky Sports said the helicopter took off from the pitch between 8.30pm-8.45pm local time (1930-1945 GMT).
It was under the ownership of Srivaddhanaprabha that Leicester premiered by the Premier League, having started the season as 5,000 / 1 outsiders for the title.
West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta, who played in Saturday's game, tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the accident helicopter at Leicester City."
His teammate Declan Rice tweeted: "Horrendous scenes at the king's power tonight, my prayers & thoughts" Leicester "
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