New Leicester helicopter crash aerial pictures reveal how close it came to hitting stadium before hero pilot steered away

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

New pictures taken from above the Leicester helicopter crash site reveal just how close it came to hitting the stadium and surrounding buildings before its hero pilot steered it away.

Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people killed when the aircraft plummeted to ground in a car park outside the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Pilot Eric Swaffer, his partner and co-pilot Izabela Roza Lechowicz and two members of Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, were also killed.

Mr Swaffer, 53, has been hailed a hero for guiding the stricken chopper away from crowds of people and buildings, including the 32,000-seat ground.

His altruistic actions saved 'hundreds of lives', according to a witness.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

And now, fresh https://cdn.standardmedia.co.ke/images taken from overhead on Monday, two days after the incident, illustrate just how close the helicopter came to causing even more catastrophic damage.

The photographs show the proximity of the crash site to the stadium, a factory and vehciles.

The stark reality of how Mr Swaffer marginally averted hitting the concrete in an area where people were walking is laid bare.

In the pictures, the scorched shell of Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's personal helicopter - which burst into flames after hitting the ground - can be seen beneath a sheeted cover.

Buildings, including the stadium, and cars are situated a matter of yards away.

The chopper, an Agusta Westland AW169, appeared to develop engine trouble shortly after taking off from the pitch at about 8.30pm following Leicester’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.

It plunged from a height of around 200ft and crashed into the concrete, erupting in flames.

More than 1,000 staff, corporate guests and members of the media were still inside the ground at the time.

While the vast majority of fans had left the vicinity when the incident happened, there was still a large number of people, including club employees, journalists and police officers in the area.

There is a Holiday Inn hotel, children's play area and two car dealerships nearby.

Mr Swaffer, 53, was a veteran pilot who previously flew members of the Royal Family and celebrities including Uri Geller.

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

He is thought to have deliberately targeted a spot where the chances of hitting someone or something were slim.

A witness said on Sunday: One said: “If it had hit the stadium or even landed near the entrance who knows what would have happened.

“The pilot probably saved hundreds of lives. It’s still a tragedy, but it could have been much, much worse.”

Corporate guest Shane Carmichael, 32, was walking to a taxi at the time.

He told the Mirror: “It’s a sight that will live with me for the rest of my days. Nobody could have survived.

“I heard the helicopter and saw it right above the stadium. It was making a funny sound. Then it was tipping to one side and the rotors seemed to stop.

“It sounds mad but it was like the pilot was trying to get away from the stadium. There were still lots of people about.

“Then it came down behind the factory next to the car park. It was a massive explosion, the place lit up.”

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is leading the investigation into the crash.

It is working to establish how and why the aircraft fell moments after taking off following Leicester's 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The AAIB gave an update on the investigation on Monday.

A statement read: "We have inspectors here from all four air accident investigation disciplines: engineering, operations, flight data and human factors.

"We recovered the digital flight data recorder (voice and data) on Sunday afternoon and one of our inspectors travelled back to Farnborough with the recorder the same evening.

"Today, our inspectors in Farnborough will start working on the recorder, which was subject to intense heat as a result of the post-accident fire.

"Our inspectors are continuing to work with the police on site. We expect to be here until the end of the week, at which point we will transport the wreckage to our specialist facilities in Farnborough for more detailed examination. In the meantime, we are still gathering evidence as part of our investigation.

"Witnesses to the accident, particularly with videos or photographs, are urged to contact Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 546 of 27 October 2018."

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who became chairman of Leicester in 2011, was known for arriving and leaving the stadium in his

The aircraft's manufacturers said it was the first accident involving one of the models.

On Sunday, fans began laying wreaths near the stadium. Flowers, flags and football shirts have been left outside the ground alongside a large image of the Hindu god Ganesh.

Billionaire Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, who grew his duty free retail business to become the firth richest man in Thailand, bought the Foxes for £39 million in 2010, and became chairman the following February.

 

 

 

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