Nusara Suknamai: Former Miss Thailand Universe competitor who tragically died in Leicester helicopter crash
Originally from Bangkok, Suknamai, 33, was on board the aircraft with Foxes owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha
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By
James WhalingDigital Sports Journalist
23:54, 28 OCT 2018
SPORT
LEICESTER CITY CONFIRM OWNER VICHAI SRIVADDHANAPRABHA HAS DIED IN HELICOPTER CRASH
One of the victims of the tragic Leicester City helicopter crash which killed five people was Nusara Suknamai, a former Miss Thailand Universe competitor.
Originally from Bangkok, Suknamai, 33, was on board the aircraft with Foxes owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Also in the helicopter were pilot Eric Swaffer who was with girlfriend Izabela Roza Lechowicz, also a pilot.
Kaveporn Punpare, who is a member of Srivaddhanaprabha's staff along with Suknamai, also passed away in the tragedy.
Suknamai's Instagram page includes snaps with several Leicester players including England internationals Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy.
Suknamai with Kasper Schmeichel (Image: xxxxxx/Instagram)
Jamie Vardy with Suknamai (Image: xxxxxx/Instagram)
Suknamai with former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri (Image: xxxxxx/Instagram)She also has a picture with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and England boss Gareth Southgate.
On Friday, Suknamai posted pictures of herself posing on Chelsea's famous Kings Road.
Suknamai was a contestant in the 2005 Miss Thailand Universe competition, finishing as runner-up. She was crowned Miss Intercontinental Thailand.
She was on board the helicopter when it collected Srivaddhanaprabha and the other passengers as normal following Leicester's Premier League game against West Ham .
But the aircraft encountered problems shortly after take-off having reached a height of around 200 feet.
Suknamai at Old Trafford (Image: zara_nusara/Instagram)
England boss Gareth Southgate with Suknamai (Image: facebook)READ MORE
Leicester helicopter crash deaths: Identities of all five fatalities after tragic incident
It crashed into the tarmac close to the stadium and was quickly engulfed in flames, tragically killing all five people on board.
A Leicester statement said: "It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium.
"None of the five people on-board survived.
“The primary thoughts of everyone at the Club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss.
“In Khun Vichai, the world has lost a great man.
Suknamai with the Premier League trophy, won by Leicester in 2015-16 (Image: zara_nusara/Instagram)
Suknamai tragically died in the helicopter crash (Image: zara_nusara/Instagram)a“A man of kindness, of generosity and a man whose life was defined by the love he devoted to his family and those he so successfully led.
"Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is a family that will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the Club that is now his legacy.
“A book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 30 October for supporters wishing to pay their respects.
“Both Tuesday’s First Team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the Development Squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed.
“Everyone at the Club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time."
