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Tributes pour in as helicopter crash inquest begins Tributes pour in as helicopter crash inquest begins
(31 minutes later)
(Left to right): Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, Izabela Roza Lechowicz and Eric Swaffer were killed in the crash(Left to right): Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, Izabela Roza Lechowicz and Eric Swaffer were killed in the crash
Tributes are being paid to five people who died in a helicopter crash outside Leicester City's King Power Stadium, as an inquest into their deaths gets under way more than six years later. Tributes have been paid to five people who died in a helicopter crash outside Leicester City's King Power Stadium, as an inquest into their deaths gets under way more than six years later.
Foxes chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed alongside fellow passengers Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz on 27 October 2018.Foxes chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed alongside fellow passengers Kaveporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz on 27 October 2018.
An inquest at Leicester City Hall, expected to last for between two and three weeks, has begun, with a jury to determine who the deceased were - and when, where and how they died.An inquest at Leicester City Hall, expected to last for between two and three weeks, has begun, with a jury to determine who the deceased were - and when, where and how they died.
In a pen portrait tribute to Mr Vichai, his family described him as someone with boundless energy who was an instinctive entrepreneur.In a pen portrait tribute to Mr Vichai, his family described him as someone with boundless energy who was an instinctive entrepreneur.
In the tribute, read to the court by family barrister Philip Shepherd KC, the relatives said: "Khun Vichai was the leader of our family, a caring and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather.In the tribute, read to the court by family barrister Philip Shepherd KC, the relatives said: "Khun Vichai was the leader of our family, a caring and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather.
"We feel the loss of him as much today as we have ever done. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to us all, and we all loved him very much."We feel the loss of him as much today as we have ever done. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to us all, and we all loved him very much.
"It's impossible to put Khun Vichai into words. He possessed all of the best qualities. He was adored by everyone for his kind spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humour and intellect.""It's impossible to put Khun Vichai into words. He possessed all of the best qualities. He was adored by everyone for his kind spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humour and intellect."
The pen portrait ended with a video presentation on a big screen in the court, paying tribute to his role in reviving Leicester City's fortunes, including the club's against-the-odds Premier League title win in 2016.The pen portrait ended with a video presentation on a big screen in the court, paying tribute to his role in reviving Leicester City's fortunes, including the club's against-the-odds Premier League title win in 2016.
The AW169 helicopter crashed shortly after this photograph was takenThe AW169 helicopter crashed shortly after this photograph was taken
The second tribute described Mr Swaffer as someone who loved aviation and had a "wicked sense of humour". The second tribute described Mr Swaffer, 53, as someone who loved aviation and had a "wicked sense of humour".
It was read to the jury by the sister of his partner, Ms Lechowicz, a fellow pilot who also died in the crash. It was read to the jury by the sister of his partner, Ms Lechowicz, 46, a fellow pilot who also died in the crash.
Of Mr Swaffer, Kate Lechowicz said: "He was great company. He had profound love for aviation, technology, travel, his motorbike and life in general. There was nothing he had not tried his hand at. He excelled at everything he did." Of Mr Swaffer, Kate Lechowicz said: "He was great company. He had profound love for aviation, technology, travel, his motorbike and life in general.
"There was nothing he had not tried his hand at. He excelled at everything he did."
Tributes were left outside the stadium in the immediate aftermath of the crashTributes were left outside the stadium in the immediate aftermath of the crash
Remembering her sibling, Ms Lechowicz said her "warm, caring, hardworking" sister was an "extraordinary individual".Remembering her sibling, Ms Lechowicz said her "warm, caring, hardworking" sister was an "extraordinary individual".
"She exuded a passion for life, but above all she was a dedicated pilot," Ms Lechowicz added."She exuded a passion for life, but above all she was a dedicated pilot," Ms Lechowicz added.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published in September 2023, found the crash was "inevitable" after a sequence of mechanical failures, and said the pilot could have done "very little" to save everyone on board. "She had extensive global flying experience. She was the type of person who accomplished her task with grace and efficiency."
About 1,000 people from across the globe attended a memorial service for the pair, from Surrey, in 2018.
The service had to be moved to Guildford Cathedral from the couple's local church in Camberley to accommodate everyone.
A service for Mr Swaffer and Ms Lechowicz was held at Guildford CathedralA service for Mr Swaffer and Ms Lechowicz was held at Guildford Cathedral
Tributes were also paid to Kaveporn Punpare, who had a young daughter and was one of several butlers employed by Mr Vichai.
A statement by his wife said he initially worked as an assistant butler, who accompanied family members on trips, but was promoted in 2015.
She said her husband would be loved and missed by his family each and every day.
Former Miss Thailand contestant Nusara Suknamai was described as a "pillar" of her family.
In a statement, they said: "This is the greatest loss for the family. We will never forget it."
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), published in September 2023, found the crash was "inevitable" after a sequence of mechanical failures, and said the pilot could have done "very little" to save everyone on board.
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