The bodies of Warrington band Viola Beach have been released to their families. The band’s members died in a car crash in Sweden last month, along with their manager.
Viola Beach were on a tour when their car crashed from a bridge and into a canal 18 miles from Swedish capital Stockholm on February 13, killing all four members of the band (Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin) and their manager Craig Tarry.
Swedish police later confirmed that the driver of the car had no traces of alcohol or drugs in his system.
BBC News reports that an inquest into their death was opened and adjourned earlier today at Warrington Town Hall. Full inquests will be heard at an unspecified later date.
Senior Coroner for Cheshire Nicholas Rheinberg has released the five men’s bodies ahead of their funerals.
PressThe band’s song ‘Swings and Waterslides’ entered the UK charts at Number 11 last month, after a campaign from fans to get the track to Number One in tribute to the late musicians.
The Stone Roses and Liam Gallagher were amongst those campaigning for the Viola Beach single to chart, tweeting in support of the campaign.
The group’s record label Communion have confirmed that the proceeds from sale of singles will go to the families of the band and their manager.
The Courteeners and The Cribs had previously led the tributes to Viola Beach. The Courteeners frontman Liam Fray recalled the period in 2015 when Viola Beach were supporting his band on tour. “Heartbreaking news about @Viola_Beach,” Fray wrote on Twitter. “Watched them soundcheck in December with us. They were destined for big things. Can’t believe it.”
The Cribs’ Ryan Jarman, meanwhile, posted a series of tweets, saying: “Heart goes out to the Viola Beach guys and their families… The sacrifice many bands around the world make for gig goers every day – giving up days for traveling… sadly roads and skies can be dangerous.”