British band Viola Beach killed in car crash in Sweden

All four members of British indie band Viola Beach have died in a car crash in Sweden.

Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin were killed when their car plunged 25 metres off a bridge into a canal. Their manager Craig Tarry also died in the accident, which happened in the early hours of Saturday near Stockholm.

The Warrington band had featured on BBC Introducing, a radio showcase for up-and-coming artists, and were in Sweden to play Where is the Music? festival on Friday before a gig at Guildford’s Boileroom the following day.

Blossoms, the band who were headlining the Guildford gig, tweeted: “Absolutely devastated for the loss of Viola Beach and Craig Tarry. Our thoughts are with their friends and families.”

Ross Jarman from The Cribs also tweeted: “Heart goes out to the Viola Beach guys and their families.” [via BBC News]