Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Maya Oppenheim

Tributes pour in for British band Viola Beach after tragic death in canal crash in Sweden

Four members of British rock band Viola Beach and their manager have been killed after their car plunged more than 80ft from a bridge into a canal in Sweden.

The Warrington-based band had travelled to Sweden to perform at Where’s the Music? festival in Norrköping.

Viola Beach played at Reading and Leeds Festival last year and have been championed by BBC Introducing. 

The band were due to play a gig in Guildford in Surrey this Saturday.

Tributes to the band members, Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin, and their manager have poured in on social media.

The former girlfriend of the band’s manager, Craig Tarry, arranged a tribute to the former Man City season ticket holder at their match against Spurs today.

Honouring her boyfriend on Instagram, she has asked fans to “clap for Craig” in the fifth minute of the game at the Etihad Stadium.

 

“Craig and I spent most of our university days together, we were in a relationship for over two years. He introduced me to some superb music, a great football team and a wonderful family. He spoke about all of the above with a sparkle in his eye," Tarry's former girlfriend wrote.

Radio One DJ Huw Stephens has also paid tribute to the band.

DJ and co-founder of Bestival music festival, Rob Da Bank, described it as "desperately sad" news:

Their local football team Warrington Wolves have also joined in. 

Accolades continue to pour in on social media:

A foreign office spokesman said: “We can confirm that five British Nationals died in a car accident in Sweden on 13 February.

“We are in contact with local authorities and supporting the families at this difficult time.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.