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Leicester City crash: Foxes want to postpone Carabao Cup tie against Southampton after owner’s helicopter accident

Club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's helicopter spun out of control and crashed outside the King Power Stadium

LEICESTER are looking to postpone Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Southampton after their owner's helicopter crashed outside the stadium last night.

Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his daughter were reportedly among five people feared dead after the helicopter spun out of control as it left the King Power Stadium.

 Leicester are looking to postpone Tuesday's game against Southampton after owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's helicopter crashed last night
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Leicester are looking to postpone Tuesday's game against Southampton after owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's helicopter crashed last nightCredit: PA:Press Association

Leicester announced that their women's game against Manchester United which was due to be played today would be cancelled.

And the Foxes are now looking at postponing the round of 16 tie against Southampton which is scheduled to be played at the King Power in 48 hours.

They need permission from the English Football League as well as the south coast club to have the game delayed.

Leicester are also considering asking if they can postpone Saturday's trip to Cardiff City which is due to be played on Saturday.

A statement from Leicester City Women said: "In light and in respect of the recent events at King Power Stadium our @FAWC_ fixture against @ManUtdWomen has been postponed."

 A fireball could be seen in the car park after Vichai Srivaddhanaprabhas helicopter went down
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A fireball could be seen in the car park after Vichai Srivaddhanaprabhas helicopter went downCredit: Rex Features
 Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha often flew to games via helicopter
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Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha often flew to games via helicopterCredit: Reuters
 The burnt shell of the helicopter of owner Srivaddhanaprabha
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The burnt shell of the helicopter of owner SrivaddhanaprabhaCredit: Reuters

The popular Foxes owner's helicopter took off at around 8.45pm and nosedived in a ball of flames less than 200 yards away just seconds later.

Eye-witnesses said the AW169 helicopter spiralled out of control in the air with an apparent problem with the tail fin.

A source close to the family told the BBC he was in his helicopter when it crashed.

According to Reuters, Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people who were on board the aircraft, as well as a daughter of Vichai, two pilots and a fifth person whose identity was not immediately known, the source said on Sunday.

 Srivaddhanaprabha bought the club in 2010 and grew to be a popular owner
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Srivaddhanaprabha bought the club in 2010 and grew to be a popular ownerCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 The Leicester owner is feared dead after last night's tragic helicopter crash
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The Leicester owner is feared dead after last night's tragic helicopter crashCredit: EPA
Onlookers panic at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium after the chairman's helicopter crashed in the carpark moments after taking off

This morning, Jacques Bonnevay, the team's assistant manager, tweeted in French this morning to say: "Leicester en Pleurs", meaning "Leicester in tears".

Images taken at the scene show the helicopter engulfed in flames as fans leaving the ground watched on in horror.

It is feared several people were killed. Supporters were forced to run for their lives from debris falling to the ground as the helicopter crashed.

The chairman's son Aiyawatt, who is the club’s vice-chairman, and director of football Jon Rudkin were not on board, according to sources.

Witness describes the moment a helicopter belonging Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed in the King Power Stadium carpark moments after taking off
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