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Viola Beach 'did not suffer' after crash, inquest says Viola Beach did not suffer after crash, inquest hears
(35 minutes later)
An inquest into the deaths of British band Viola Beach after a crash in Sweden has heard that "none of the young men will have suffered".An inquest into the deaths of British band Viola Beach after a crash in Sweden has heard that "none of the young men will have suffered".
The four-piece group and their manager, who were aged between 19 and 35, died on 13 February following a gig in Stockholm. The four-piece group and their manager, who were aged between 19 and 32, died in the early hours of 13 February following a gig in Stockholm.
Their car plunged off a bridge into a canal, about 18 miles from the capital.Their car plunged off a bridge into a canal, about 18 miles from the capital.
The inquest heard no trace of alcohol or drugs was found in the blood of manager Craig Tarry, who was driving. The inquest heard no alcohol or drugs was found in the blood of manager Craig Tarry, 32, who was driving.
Post-mortem examinations also showed the four band members had not taken drugs and had only consumed small amount of alcohol. Post-mortem examinations also showed the four band members had not taken drugs and had only consumed small amounts of alcohol.
The band's agent Graham Bennett told the inquest at Warrington Coroner's Court that the up-and-coming group were in Sweden for a festival showcasing young artists.The band's agent Graham Bennett told the inquest at Warrington Coroner's Court that the up-and-coming group were in Sweden for a festival showcasing young artists.
Viola Beach had already played at the Reading and Leeds festivals last year and the Stockholm event was their first gig outside the UK.Viola Beach had already played at the Reading and Leeds festivals last year and the Stockholm event was their first gig outside the UK.
After the performance, they were travelling in a black Nissan Qashqai car near the Södertälje Canal, about 18 miles from the capital when a bridge opened to let a boat pass underneath. After the performance, they were travelling in a black Nissan Qashqai car near the Södertälje Canal, about 18 miles from the capital, when a bridge opened to let a boat pass underneath.
The inquest heard that the car was slightly over the speed limit as it was travelling at 108km/h (67mph)in a 100km/h zone. The inquest heard that the car was slightly over the speed limit as it was travelling at 108km/h (67mph) in a 100km/h zone.
Warning lightsWarning lights
In a written statement, a lorry driver said he saw the car drive around queuing traffic at the bridge before hitting the barriers. Flashing lights signalled that the bridge, which is above the canal, was about to be raised with the middle section of the road lifted horizontally, the inquest heard.
The inquest also heard that the car hit a raised section of the bridge before plunging 25m, hitting the water within 15 seconds. Mr Tarry drove down a verge past stationary queuing traffic and through the first set of barriers, about 120 metres from the bridge, the court heard.
The crew of a passing boat saw it fall but initially thought it was ice. The car then travelled in a "controlled manner" at between 70 and 90km/h down the centre of the road.
Swedish police said the vehicle had no deficiencies and the road was not slippery. It continued through a second set of barriers - 30 metres from the drop into the canal - and hit the raised section of the bridge before plummeting 25m, hitting the water within 15 seconds.
The crew of a passing boat saw the car fall but initially thought it was ice.
Technical examinations did not find any errors with the car, barrier system or the procedure for raising the bridge.
One warning light on the bridge was out of order but there were at least 10 warning lights and flashing signals, the inquest heard.One warning light on the bridge was out of order but there were at least 10 warning lights and flashing signals, the inquest heard.
Although the road was wet, it was not frozen with ice.
Post-mortem examinations found that all died from head injuries apart from Mr Lowe whose cause of death was given as drowning.
The court heard that the three band members sitting in the back of the car were not wearing seatbelts but those in the front were, and had to be cut from the vehicle.
Cheshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said "none of the young men will have suffered" as they died.
The Swedish authorities have recommended improvements to the crossing, including LED signs and cameras on the bridge.
Who were Viola Beach?Who were Viola Beach?
In the wake of their deaths, the band's first single Swings & Waterslides reached number 11, while Coldplay paid tribute at Glastonbury by performing their song Boys That Sing.In the wake of their deaths, the band's first single Swings & Waterslides reached number 11, while Coldplay paid tribute at Glastonbury by performing their song Boys That Sing.
Posthumously, Viola Beach scored a number one album in August.Posthumously, Viola Beach scored a number one album in August.
The self-titled debut was compiled by the band's families, using live sessions and studio recordings, many of which were originally bound for an EP.The self-titled debut was compiled by the band's families, using live sessions and studio recordings, many of which were originally bound for an EP.
After the crash, a statement from the families of the band said: "We are tremendously proud of everything the boys achieved in such a short space of time.
"Craig, Jack, Kris, River and Tom shared a huge passion, talent and dedication to music."