A week of mourning in Leicester: how the city paid tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

  • Central
A week of mourning in Leicester: how the city paid tribute Credit: ITV News Central

  • The world has watched with shock, but also wonder, at how the Leicester City family has come together this week, as the story of Saturday night's helicopter crash unfolded.

  • Here is how Leicester, and the football club, have expressed their grief and thanks at the tragic death of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

The world watched in horror as the images emerged of a routine helicopter ascent from the centre of the King Power stadium's pitch, before it started spinning and dropped out of the sky into the darkness beyond the stadium walls.

But, as the tributes grew every hour outside the ground, people have drawn comfort from the solidarity the footballing world has shown each other, and the family of Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Timeline:

Saturday 27 October

  • Around 8:30 in the evening the emergency services start to receive calls about a major incident at the King Power stadium in Leicester

  • It's confirmed the helicopter belonging to chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has crashed into a car park outside the stadium. Those inside and their condition is not confirmed but the worst is feared.

Sunday 28 October

  • Flowers start appearing at the King Power stadium.

  • Late at night it is confirmed that all five people on board the helicopter died, and that one of those was chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

  • The Diwali lights celebration takes place with a sombre note.

Monday 29 October

  • Tributes start to flood in, including from the Prime Minister and the Duke of Cambridge.

  • Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha pays tribute to his father at the stadium with a wreath along with the players and their manager.

  • The Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirms they recovered the digital flight data recorder on Sunday afternoon.

  • Civic buildings in Leicester are lit up blue.

Tuesday 30 October

  • A book of condolence opens.

  • Buddhist monks perform outside the stadium in tribute.

  • Tonight's match is postponed.

  • Fans gather outside the stadium to chant 'Champions of England, you made us sing that'.

Wednesday 31 October

  • Nigel Pearson pays tribute.

  • A 5000/1 walk on Saturday is planned.

  • Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha writes an emotional tribute saying "I miss you dad, with all of my heart."

Thursday 1 November

  • Claudio Ranieri lays a wreath at the King Power stadium.

  • Claude Puel holds his first press conference since the crash, saying that the chairman made the club 'a family'

  • His funeral is announced for Saturday in Thailand.

  • Part of the wreckage starts to be removed.

  • Firefighters who tried desperately to save the five victims pay their respects.

Friday 2 November

  • A giant flag is made to display at the Cardiff match

  • Bells ring across Leicester in memory of the helicopter crash victims.

Saturday 3 November

  • The funeral ceremonies begin in Thailand

  • Leicester City play their first match since the crash, away at Cardiff