Viola Beach: Families pay tribute to band killed in Sweden car crash

The families of the British band and their manager who died after their car plunged over 80 feet into a canal have paid touching tributes to the five young men.

  • Jack Dakin

The mother of drummer Jack Dakin said that her son was a "lovely young man... full of fun."

"He was exuberant with life," Joanne Dakin said.

  • Tomas Lowe

Tomas was an absolutely beautiful boy. Mischievous, full of life," his mother Ruth Lowe said. "He loved life. Everybody who met Tomas fell in love with him."

Ms Lowe also said that the band and her bassist son were enjoying their early success. "They had all worked really hard but they were all friends who lived for the music".

"They were just young lads living the dream," she said. "I'm so proud of [the band]".

Tomas' sister Rebecca also highlighted the dedication the boys had shown to start out on their music careers.

"They were working very hard touring and they were looking forward to upcoming gigs this summer."

"They'll be missed so much." she said.

  • River Reeves

The family of guitarist River Reeves remembered an "amazing and talented" young man.

Stepmother Sharon Dunne said: "He [River] lit up the room. Everybody loved him."

"He was focused on making music... It was all he wanted to do." Father Ben Dunne said.

Fin - River's brother - said: "He was such an inspiration."

  • Kristian Leonard

The family of Viola Beach band member Kristian Leonard said that "words cannot express the sadness we feel".

  • Craig Tarry

The family of the band's manager Craig Tarry also spoke of their heartbreak and of Craig's pride in working with Viola Beach.

"He was the best big brother a little sister could ask for," Sarah Tarry said.