26 February 2024 , 16:05
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British boy band Viola Beach sadly lost their lives when their car fell into a canal in Stockholm in 2016.
Viola Beach, who had performed at Reading and Leeds Festivals and had been played on Radio 1, were in a black Nissan Qashqai that drove off a bridge and landed in a Stockholm canal, 80ft below, in the early hours in mid-February 2016. The members of the promising indie-rock group from Warrington, Cheshire singer Kris Leonard, guitarist River Reeves, bass player Tomas Lowe and drummer Jack Dakin as well as their manager, Craig Tarry, who was in the car with the band, all died in the terrible accident.
Their car broke through the barriers of a bridge over a canal in Stockholm's Sodertalje district and fell into the water early in the morning. The bridge had been opened to let ships pass through and was closing when the car went through the barriers. Inspector Martin Bergholm said at the time: "For some reason, the car drove through the barriers and crashed down into the canal. Witnesses just saw a car beside them and kind of disappear."
Their car broke through the barriers of a bridge over a canal in Stockholm's Sodertalje district (PA)People paid tribute to the young band after the news of their deaths, with Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, who had played Viola Beach songs on his show, tweeting: "So sorry to hear the news about Viola Beach and their manager. The saddest news. Thinking of all their families at this awful time."
An industry insider who saw their last show at a festival in Sweden told Express.co.uk that people in the music business thought they were great. The band's first album got to number one after they passed away. The lads from the popular band were all old mates who enjoyed a pint and came from Warrington, where everyone knew them.
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Now, eight years on, there's a special plaque for the band and their manager at Parr Hall in Warrington. This shiny bronze plaque makes sure we'll always remember the band, who wanted to "escape the ordinary", as one of their family said.
Jack's mum, Jo Dakin, shared: "A physical memorial will inspire others to be brave enough to follow their dreams and escape the ordinary just like the band of brothers did." Just this month, Parr Hall remembered the band on Facebook, saying: "It's now eight years since we lost Viola Beach and it doesn't get any easier."