Viola Beach fans are mourning the passing of all four members of the British indie band, as well as their manager. Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, and Jack Dakin, along with manager Craig Tarry, all died in the wee hours of Saturday morning outside of Stockholm, Sweden, when their car plunged nearly 85 feet off a highway bridge and into a canal below.
British indie rock band Viola Beach killed in car accident https://t.co/idJQf3jluc
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) February 14, 2016
Viola Beach was headed to a Swedish music festival called “Where is the Music?” at the time of the crash.
Following a car crash in Sweden, it is reported that all members of the British band Viola Beach have been killedhttps://t.co/Bnr8BLhZDN
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) February 14, 2016
Blossoms, the band headlining the event, shared their devastation over the tragedy that cost the members of Viola Beach and their manager their lives.
Absolutely devastated for the loss of Viola Beach and Craig Tarry. Our thoughts are with their friends and families. pic.twitter.com/Fg52on42as
— B L O S S O M S (@BlossomsBand) February 14, 2016
Viola Beach released their debut single, “Swings & Waterslides,” last year.
BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens said the band was quickly building a loyal fan base and that all the members were committed to their music.
5 British men, reportedly members of indie band Viola Beach, killed in Sweden when car plunges into canal: https://t.co/0RuKgGhHgI
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 14, 2016
Less than two weeks ago, Viola Beach shared what would become their final Facebook post.
Very excited to announce we've been invited by to play BBC Introducing and PRS for Music Foundation’s showcase at SXSW…
Posted by Viola Beach on Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Condolences are flying through various social media channels to the families of the Viola Beach members and their manager. How tragic that these five young people lost their lives en route to a performance, where they would have done what they all loved best.