UK band Viola Beach killed in tragic car accident

Big names in music and fans alike have joined with friends and family to pay tribute to British band Viola Beach after they were killed in Sweden.

Viola Beach band members Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin died along with manager Craig Tarry after their car smashed through a bridge barrier and plummeted 25 meters into a canal.

The band were making their way back to the UK after a gig in Stockholm. They were from Warrington.

Unbelievably upsetting news about @Viola_Beach , my thoughts are with their friends and family...https://t.co/LDTKszcm7Y

— Dan Croll (@DanCroll) February 14, 2016

BBC Radio 1's Huw Stephens said the Warrington band had toured with bigger bands and were "incredibly promising".

The Coral's James Skelly said: "So sorry to hear about viola beach and Craig tarry's accident so sad, their families must be devastated."

So sorry to hear about viola beach and Craig tarry's accident so sad, their families must be devastated.

— James Skelly (@JamesSkellyBand) February 14, 2016

Ross Jarman of The Cribs said his "heart goes out to the Viola Beach guys and their families".

Billy Bragg tweeted: "Tragic news about Viola Beach. Young band, first tour outside the UK. My thoughts are with their families and friends."

Tragic news about Viola Beach. Young band, first tour outside the UK. My thoughts are with their families and friends.

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) February 14, 2016

And James Walsh, lead singer of Starsailor, said: "Lives and music tragically cut short in their prime."

Blossoms were due to perform with the four-piece in Guildford, Surrey, on Saturday night. They tweeted a picture of the group and saying they were "absolutely devastated".

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

Fans have been flooding the Facebook page of the band with tributes. The band had released their debut single 'Swings and Waterslides' last year and were marked out as future stars.

Such sad news about #violabeach . My heart goes out to the family's of these boys . I had heard many great things about them .

— Bipolar Sunshine (@bipolarsunshine) February 14, 2016