THE helicopter pilot involved in the tragic accident at Leicester City FC started his career as the private pilot of County Durham businessman George Reynolds.

Mr Reynolds, the former chairman of Darlington FC, has told The Northern Echo he is very saddened by the unfolding tragedy of pilot Eric Swaffer who was at the controls of the helicopter which crashed on Saturday evening, killing the Foxes' owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

"He was a really dedicated and genuine person who dreamed, ate, lived and slept flying," said Mr Reynolds, who employed Mr Swaffer for about three years in the late 1990s. "He was never happy unless he was in the sky. He didn't want to be on the ground. We used to say to him 'you should have been a bird'."

Mr Reynolds bought a £2m AgustaWestland 109 helicopter in 1996 when he was at the height of his powers as a chipboard magnate. Mr Swaffer, who was 53 when he died in the accident, came highly recommended as a pilot, although Mr Reynolds said the first time he had flown a helicopter in the 109's class was when they picked it up new from Italy.

"I remember coming over the Alps and looking down, and that's when he said it was the first time he'd flown one like this," said Mr Reynolds. "He was only a young lad but an absolutely first class pilot."

The helicopter had the name of Mr Reynolds' business, Direct Worktops, on its tale and was kept at the chipboard plant in Shildon, with Mr Swaffer living in a flat at Mr Reynolds' mansion, Witton Hall at Witton-le-Wear. The helicopter was used for business trips down to London and over to the continent.

Mr Reynolds sold it shortly before he became chairman of the Quakers in 1999.

Mr Swaffer was hailed a hero at Leicester for steering the spinning helicopter away from crowds and into a car park.

Mr Reynolds said: "It is so sad. I dealt with him every day for three years, and he was so enthusiastic and such a very nice person."