Huge thousand-strong crowd fills street for teens who died in e-bike crash

26 May 2023 , 17:45

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Approximately one thousand people have tonight lined city streets in tribute to two teenagers who died in a crash after allegedly being followed by police.

Harvey Evans, 15, and 16-year-old Kyrees Sullivan, who had been "best friends" since they were young children, lost their lives after a crash involving an electric bike in Ely, Cardiff on Monday.

Following the collision, tensions reached breaking point as several vehicles were set alight, property was damaged and police officers were injured in a riot.

Nine people have been arrested since then, including seven teenagers as young as just 15.

Tonight, the community in Ely has united to pay their respects to Harvey and Kyrees. Photographs show hundreds of balloons - all shades of blue, the colour of Cardiff City Football Club - released into the air on residential streets.

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People release balloons during the vigil for the teenagers (PA)

Balloons, flares and fireworks were let off at the gathering tonight (John Myers)

Speaking at the gathering, one of Harvey's uncles said: "We're all tarred with the same brush here, especially given what happened on Monday.

"But this is the true Ely. Look how many people have turned out to pay their respects.

"The only difference between Monday and today is that the police aren't here."

Many mourners are pictured holding the blue balloons and wearing white T-shirts, adorned with pictures of the two boys.

The vigil comes after the deaths sparked a riot in Ely and cars were set alight (Getty Images)

Emotional scenes are pictured in the Welsh capital tonight (PA)

Several people were in tears as the balloons were released and a moment of silence was held before the crowd broke out in applause.

Flares have also been let off at the vigil.

Footage played on Sky News captures streets busy with well-wishers.

Firecrackers can be heard in the outside broadcast on the rolling news channel.

The mothers of the teenagers have asked that there be no people on Sur-Ron bikes at this evening's vigil in Snowden Road. Kyrees and Harvey were riding these, without helmets, in the moments before the collision on Monday.

Kyrees and Harvey were 'best friends' for years (Facebook)

T-shirts with a picture of the pair as children were worn by mourners (John Myers)

Hundreds of floral tributes and messages have been left in the area since the tragedy.

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It is believed the victims' families have requested police do not attend the event.

Speaking earlier this week, Harvey's mother said: "Our hearts are truly broken by the sudden death of Harvey, our much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, friend, and boyfriend.

"He lived life to the full, he had a big heart and deep down he truly cared. He was a best friend to Kyrees, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family also.

"We ask for peace within the community and request that people leave the investigation to the police so we can get the answers we so desperately need to lay Harvey to rest.

"As Harvey’s mum, I want to remember our son as the fun and loving son that he was and not as the media are portraying him now."

A vigil in memory of Kyrees Sullivan, 16 and Harvey Evans, 15, is happening in Cardiff (Getty Images)

Kyrees' family said: "Kyrees was a loving, caring handsome young man, a loving son to Belinda and Craig, little brother to Aleah and Jordan and a special uncle KyKy to Myra.

"He was loved so much by his grandparents and aunties and uncles and his many cousins.

"Him and Harvey along with Niall were best friends since they were young and went everywhere together, they both had so many friends and were very well liked doing many things together, having fun & laughs!!

"They were loved by not only their families but by their community as well. Belinda, Craig & families, would like to thank everyone for all their kind words, flowers, and messages since they lost their son."

The teenagers died in a road accident minutes after they had allegedly been involved in a pursuit with police (PA)

It is estimated around one thousand people have gathered (PA)

In the wake of the tragedy - and subsequent criticism - South Wales Police said it continues to investigate the collision.

Speaking on Tuesday, the force said: "At 6.03pm yesterday we received a report of a serious collision on Snowden Road which tragically resulted in the deaths of two teenage boys.

"The families of the two boys are being supported by family liaison officers. Our thoughts are with both families at this terrible time.

"An electric bike has been seized from the scene and enquiries are on-going to establish the exact circumstances.

People were brought to tears when the balloons were released (PA)

"We have received CCTV footage which shows a police vehicle following a bike just prior to 6pm. This footage is being recovered as part of the investigation which will assist us in piecing together the circumstances leading up to the collision. The families are being kept up to date.

"We can confirm that following investigations carried out so far, that when then collision occurred, there were no police vehicles on Snowden Road. A police vehicle in Grand Avenue responded to the report of a collision, attended the area and the officers performed CPR.

"The investigation has involved studying CCTV and tracking data from the police vehicle.

"At this stage, we do not believe that any other vehicle was involved in the collision.

Floral tributes left in Ely after the tragedy (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

"During the disorder, 15 officers were injured requiring medical attention. Eleven went to hospital, four were treated at the scene.

"Our focus now is to fully investigate the circumstances of the collision and the appalling scenes that followed.

"We are appealing for witnesses, information, and footage from mobile phones and social media.

"We acknowledge the impact last night’s disorder had on local residents who were understandably very frightened. They have our assurances that we will be doing all we can to arrest those responsible. A number of people have already been arrested and more arrests will follow.