Stadium crash coroner calls for urgent action on rules for helicopters

URGENT action must be taken to address concerns about helicopter rules after the crash which killed five people near Leicester City's stadium, a coroner said.

- By TED HENNESSEY, PA

The football club's former owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, referred to as Khun Vichai, was killed with the helicopter's pilot, Eric Swaffer, his partner and co-pilot Izabela Lechowicz, and passengers Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare.

A prevention of future deaths report was sent to the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after an inquest, warning of concerns about gaps in safety rules which risks more helicopter crashes.

Coroner Professor Catherine Mason expressed concerns that current aviation rules may not adequately prevent crucial parts from wearing out prematurely, which can cause failures leading to crashes.