All four members of the group, as well as their dedicated manager, lost their lives in the tragic accident.
Tributes have poured in for a British boyband after their car plunged into a canal in Stockholm, Sweden. All four members of the group, as well as their dedicated manager, lost their lives in the tragic accident.
The promising indie-rock group’s members 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 horrifying accident in February 2016.
The band, Viola Beach, is now commemorated in their home town, and on Friday 13th February, a new tribute was unveiled in Warrington town centre to mark the 10-year anniversary of their passing. The installation, situated in the Old Market Square, will take the form of a ‘V’ made from rainbow umbrellas.
Ian Cox, centre director at Golden Square, said: “Viola Beach will always be part of Warrington’s story. Ten years on, their music and their spirit still mean so much to so many people.”
He added: “We wanted to create something visible in the Old Market Square where the band played that feels thoughtful and hopeful, a simple tribute that honours Kris, River, Tomas, Jack and Craig, and gives people a moment to pause, reflect and remember.
“The rainbow umbrellas felt like the right way to do that: bright, uplifting, impossible to miss and an obvious nod to their most iconic photo.”
Paying tribute to the band on Facebook, one fan wrote: “I remember hearing about the accident – absolutely heartbreaking. They were about to break through and do big things. I still listen to their album and remember them.”
Another said: “this broke my heart when it happened, so much young talent just starting out, just getting the recognition they had worked hard for.” A third commented: “Sending love to all missing them. Thought of often.”
The group’s vehicle broke through the barriers of a bridge over a canal in Stockholm’s Sodertalje district and plunged into the water in the early hours of the morning on February 13th 2016. The bridge had been opened to let ships pass through, and was in the process of 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.”
Tributes poured in for the young band after the news of their deaths, with Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, who had played Viola Beach tracks 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 source who saw their last performance at a music festival in Sweden, which they were travelling home from told Express.co.uk that music industry figures in the audience were impressed and exciting by the group. They posthumously reached No 1 with their debut album.
The band members – who described themselves as “beer-drinking pals who just happen to make music” – were all from Warrington and were well-known locally. Now, eight years later, the band and their manager are remembered through a commemorative plaque at Parr Hall in Warrington.
The impressive bronze display immortalises the band forever, celebrating how they wanted to “escape the ordinary”, according to a family member. Jo Dakin, mother of Jack, said: “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.”
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