THE company which built the helicopter involved in Saturday's fatal crash outside Leicester City ground has released a statement.

The UK helicopters division of Leonardo is based in Yeovil, Somerset, and it was one of their Agusta Westland AW169 helicopters which was invovled in the accident.

Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, two of his staff and two pilots were killed when the Thai billionaire's helicopter crashed in flames near the team's ground.

Police confirmed the businessman, employees Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz died when the aircraft crashed near the south-east end of the King Power Stadium.

A spokesman for Leonardo said: "Leonardo is one of the biggest suppliers of defence equipment to the UK MoD and the largest Italian inward investor to the UK.

"Leonardo is extremely saddened to hear of the fatal accident yesterday evening involving an AW169 helicopter at Leicester City Football Club's stadium.

"We wish to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of those involved. 

"Leonardo Helicopters is ready to support the AAIB with their investigation to determine the cause of this accident.

"This is the first ever accident involving an AW169 helicopter."

Experts investigating what caused the helicopter crash which killed Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha have begun analysing the flight recorder retrieved from the wreckage.

The digital device, which records data and voices, was taken to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch's (AAIB) headquarters in Farnborough, Hampshire on Sunday night.

The recorder on board the AW169 helicopter was "subject to intense heat as a result of the post-accident fire", the AAIB said.

Inspectors covering the four air accident investigation disciplines of "engineering, operations, flight data and human factors" continue to work with police at the scene of the crash outside the football club's stadium.

An AAIB spokesman said: "We expect to be here until the end of the week, at which point we will transport the wreckage to our specialist facilities in Farnborough for more detailed examination.

"In the meantime, we are still gathering evidence as part of our investigation."

The purpose of the AAIB is to improve aviation safety by determining the circumstances and causes of air accidents and serious incidents.

If any "urgent safety issues" arise in relation to the Leicester crash, it will issue special bulletins before publishing a final report once conclusions and any safety recommendations have been determined.