Duke of Cambridge and Prime Minister pay tribute to Leicester City owner

The Duke of Cambridge has praised Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's "big contribution to football" after the billionaire was killed in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Prince William, president of the Football Association said he was "lucky" to have known Mr Srivaddhanaprabha "for several years" as tributes continued to flood in for the Thai businessman and the four other victims.

He joined Prime Minister Theresa May in sending his thoughts to the victims' families, friends and the supporters.

Theresa May and Prince William join those paying tribute to the Leicester crash victims Credit: PA images

In a statement, the Duke said: "I was lucky to have known Vichai for severalyears.

Mrs May said that the "outpouring of grief is a testament to how many people's lives were touched by those on board".<

Police confirmed Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was killed along with two staff members, the pilot and a passenger when the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

The four others are believed to be Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz.

Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others were killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday Credit: PA images

The air accident watchdog is carrying out an investigation into what caused the aircraft to crash in a car park near the stadium a few hours after the Foxes drew 1-1 with West Ham.

Hundreds of tributes were left outside the ground on Sunday by mourners, with more messages flooding in through social media.

The club will set up a book of condolence at the stadium from Tuesday morning for supporters to pay their respects, with an online version on its website for those unable to visit in person.

Hundreds of tributes have been left by fans following the crash Credit: ITV Central News

Leicester's EFL Cup tie against Southampton and the development squad's match against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup on Tuesday have both been postponed.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is leading the investigation into how the Agusta Westland AW169 helicopter crashed in what is believed to be the first accident involving an AW169 aircraft.