Inspector explains Leicester City helicopter crash inquiry delays

The inquest began on 13 January in front of a jury, who will determine who the deceased were – and when, where and how they died.

Last week, the jury heard from several eyewitnesses of the crash, including club staff, two police officers and other emergency service personnel.

Evidence has also been given by inspectors from the AAIB.

The crash happened shortly after Leicester City’s 1-1 home draw with West Ham United, when the Leonardo AW169 helicopter took off from the pitch at 20:37 BST.

It reached an altitude of about 430ft (131m) before spinning out of control and crashing outside the stadium.

Sgt Michael Hooper and PC Stephen Quartermain happened to be driving nearby, having just been released from duty.

They were the first emergency service workers at the scene, where the helicopter had come to rest on its side.

This meant neither side doors could be accessed, the jury heard, prompting Sgt Hooper to try to smash the windscreen with his baton, but it would have required specialist equipment to break the glass.

The inquest heard a fire caused by a “significant” fuel leak began to spread, causing what the officers described as “unbearable” heat.

Both officers said they heard the pilot, Mr Swaffer, shouting for help from inside the aircraft after it had crashed.

Four of those who died in the crash may have survived if the aircraft had not caught fire, the pathologist who examined the victims told the jury on Wednesday.

Dr Michael Biggs said Ms Lechowicz died from injuries sustained in the the crash, while the other four survived the initial impact but would have died “quite rapidly” from smoke inhalation from the fire that broke out.

The inquest continues.