As the investigation into the helicopter crash begins, people are pouring in to pay their respects.

Tributes have been paid to the five people killed in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium in Leicester city, as an investigation into their deaths continues more than six years later.

On 27 October 2018, Fox’s chairman Vichai Sriwardhanaprabha was murdered along with fellow passengers Kweporn Punpare, Nusara Suknamai, pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Rosa Lechowicz.

An inquest expected to last two to three weeks has begun at Leicester City Hall, with a jury set to determine who the deceased were – and when, where and how they died.

Paying tribute to Mr Vichai, his family described him as a man of boundless energy who was an intuitive entrepreneur.

In a tribute read in court by family barrister Philip Shepherd Casey, relatives said: “Khun Wichai was our family leader, caring and devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather.

“We miss him today as much as we ever have. He was a good man with a good heart. He was a great inspiration to all of us and we all loved him very much.”

“It is impossible to describe Khun Wichai in words. He had all the best qualities. He was admired by all for his kind spirit, generosity, charm, sense of humor and intelligence.”

The Penn portrait concluded with a video presentation on a large screen at court, lauding his role in reviving the fortunes of Leicester City, including the club. in adverse circumstances Won the Premier League title in 2016.

The second tribute described Mr Swaffer, 53, as a man who loved aviation and had a “wicked sense of humour”.

It was read to the jury by his partner, the sister of Ms Lechowicz, 46, a fellow pilot who also died in the crash.

Of Mr. Swaffer, Kate Lechowicz said: “He was great company. He had a deep love of aviation, technology, travel, his motorcycles, and life in general.

“There was nothing he didn’t try his hand at. He excelled in everything he did.”

Remembering her sibling, Ms Lechowicz said her “loving, caring, hard-working” sister was an “extraordinary person”.

“She had a passion for life, but most of all she was a dedicated pilot,” Ms Lechowicz said.

“She had extensive global flying experience. She was someone who got her job done with grace and efficiency.”

In 2018, around 1,000 people from around the world attended a memorial service for the pair, in Surrey.

To accommodate everyone the service had to be moved from the couple’s local church in Camberley to Guildford Cathedral.

Tributes were also paid to Kaewporn Punapare, who had a young daughter and was one of several butlers employed by Mr Vichai.

A statement from his wife said he initially worked as an assistant butler, accompanying family members on trips, but was promoted in 2015.

She said her husband will be loved and missed by his family every day.

Former Miss Thailand contestant Nusara Suknamai was described as the “pillar” of her family.

“This is the greatest loss for the family. We will never forget it,” he said in a statement.

Footage filmed by a supporter from the side of the pitch was played to the inquiry, showing the Leonardo AW169 helicopter before taking off at 20:37 BST and disappearing from view behind a stand.

Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Chief Inspector Mark Jarvis gave evidence early in the inquiry to set up the scene and provide the basic facts.

He said the helicopter was manufactured in 2016 and given a certificate of airworthiness by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which will not need to be reviewed for three years.

Mr Jarvis said the damage caused by the accident caused a hole in the fuel tank and a leak.

“The fire spread very quickly and began to consume the entire helicopter,” Mr Jarvis said.

The jury was shown the physical footage of two police officers and CCTV from the scene.

The inquiry revealed that the two officers were driving nearby, had recently been relieved from duty, and were on the scene within a minute of the accident.

Because the helicopter was stuck on its left side, Mr Jarvis said neither side door could be accessed, one being about 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) above the ground and the other facing the floor.

One of the police officers attempted to break the helicopter’s windshield with his baton, but Mr Jarvis explained that specialist equipment would be required to break the glass, which would be required when traveling at a speed of 180 mph (289 km/h). Designed to withstand the impact of a bird weighing up to 1 kg. ,

AAIB report, Published in September 2023found that the crash was “inevitable” after a series of mechanical failures, and said there was “little” the pilot could have done to save everyone on the plane.