Death- crash band heading to No1 slot

INDIE rock band Viola Beach entered the Top 40 singles chart yesterday as fans paid tribute to the group who died, along with their manager, at the weekend.

Debut single Swings And Waterslides is set to storm the chart with fans determined to get it to number one. Last night they were at number 39 but cut- off is midnight Thursday and the fi nal chart position will be confi rmed on BBC Radio 1 on Friday.

Record label Communion say proceeds will go to the bereaved families of guitarist and singer Kris Leonard, 20, guitarist River Reeves, 19, bassist Tomas Lowe, 27, drummer Jack Dakin, 19, and manager Craig Tarry, 32.

The band – from Warrington, Cheshire – were in Stockholm after their fi rst foreign gig when their hired Nissan Qashqai fell off a bridge and plunged 82ft into a canal early on Saturday.

Swedish Police said yesterday they are looking at all possible causes, including who was driving, whether he was intoxicated, the icy conditions and any technical faults with the car.

Post mortems are due be carried out. Tributes poured in for the talented young musicians and fans gathered at The Lounge Bar in Warrington where two of the band members worked.

One said “The only thing that outstripped their talent was what lovely young gentlemen they were – down- to- earth, self- deprecating, funny, daft and just lovable.

“They just walked into a room and the room lit up. It’s just an absolute tragedy.”

Last night Jack’s mum Joanne Dakin said: “Jack meant everything to his family and was a beautiful loving son. He was in the prime of his life and enjoying doing something he really wanted to do. He loved drumming and being with the band and Craig. It was all that he ever wanted.

“He was looking forward to the life many people just dream of – touring the world in a rock and roll band and releasing records.”

She added: “He will live on through his music.”