IT may never be known what happened when four band members of Viola Beach were killed when their manager drove a car through two crash barriers over a raised bridge before plunging into a canal below, an inquest has heard.

Craig Tarry, 32, was behind the wheel of the hired Nissan Qashqai in Sweden last February 16, taking the band back to their hotel after playing at a festival for upcoming bands.

As Mr Tarry and the four-piece Warrington-based band of Kris Leonard, 19, River Reeves, 19, Tomas Lowe, 27, and Jack Dakin, 19, drove back along a motorway in the early hours of the morning not far from Stockholm, they approached a bridge over a ship canal, Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington heard.

Despite a series of flashing warning lights Mr Tarry drove the car down a verge past stationary traffic and crashed through two sets of barriers before hitting a raised section of the bridge and plunging 30 metres into the water below.

Mr Tarry had no drugs or alcohol in his system and none of the others had drugs and only small amounts of alcohol in their blood.

The cause of death was head injuries except for Mr Lowe who died from drowning.

Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg, recorded all five died as a result of a road traffic accident, at the end of a day-long inquest, which was attended by more than 20 family members of the deceased men.

He added: "It's not for me to speculate, it is now known, I don't think it ever will be known what happened."

Addressing the families he added: "The events we have been hearing about reveal the most awful tragedy for all of you.

"I'm very sorry you have suffered this terrible loss."