TODAY marks the eighth anniversary since the tragic loss of Warrington band Viola Beach.
Band members Jack Dakin, River Reeves, Kris Leonard, Tom Lowe and their manager Craig Tarry sadly lost their lives while on their first overseas tour in Sweden.
A bronze frieze on the wall of the town’s Parr Hall, created by artist Tom Murphy, depicting the band alongside iconic elements of Warrington now serves as a permanent tribute in their memory.
The bronze plaque remembering Viola Beach at Warrington Parr Hall
The band had been due to play a homecoming gig at the venue on returning from their first European concert.
But they tragically died when their car plunged from a bridge in Södertälje, Sweden on February 13, 2016 – a tragedy that made headline news around the world.
An inquest in December 2016 said the exact facts of the tragedy might never be known, but all five young men died as a result of a road traffic collision.
Pictures Paul Jackson
The tragedy occurred after the band had performed at a music festival near Stockholm when they were returning to their hotel.
The tragedy captured the hearts of the nation as the band’s single Swings and Waterslides reached number 11 in the charts, followed by the band’s self-titled posthumous album reaching number one.
In 2016 Cold Play paid tribute to Viola Beach by performing a cover of their song “Boys That Sing.”
Eight years today since we lost Kris, River, Tom, Jack & Craig. Always in our hearts ❤️. https://t.co/cJNr3JIZtC X
— Viola Beach (@Viola_Beach) February 13, 2024
