Police ‘lost’ two boys in car chase that sparked violence, family friend claims

The parents of Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, had been to see them at hospital and had been kept updated by South Wales Police, a family friend said.

“I’m OK in myself, I’m just absolutely devastated and heartbroken for my friends. My heart is hurting,” they said. “That’s the little boy I used to babysit and push around in a pram. It is so, so sad. They both went to see their boys yesterday and they are both very numb and haven’t gone much to say at the moment.”

The friend said the video circulated on social media supported claims a marked police van was following the teenagers in the Ely area of Cardiff.

They believed the boys had got away from the police by riding up Stanwey Road, which is blocked off to traffic at one end, and had then ridden onto the adjacent Snowden Road where the crash occurred.

South Wales Police have said they are investigating claims of a pursuit but said the collision had already happened when the first officers arrived on the scene.

“The reason why the police wasn’t on the scene is because the boys have gone through a blocked street and the police knew they couldn’t go that way so they have turned onto Grand Avenue, which led the boys to cut through onto Stanway Road onto Snowden Road,” they said.

“The police have already stated they were on Grand Avenue and they were not on the scene. They weren’t on the scene because they lost them.”

The families of the two boys who died have issued grief-stricken tributes to them and appealed for peace in the area.

Harvey’s family 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.”

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.”

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and 15-year-old Harvey Evans were killed in a collision while riding an electric bike in Ely on Monday evening, sparking a night of violence with cars torched and clashes with riot police.

PCC Alun Michael suggested on Tuesday morning that rumours of a police chase prior to the crash had become “rife” shortly before locals clashed with officers – 15 of whom were injured, according to the force – but said this version of events “wasn’t the case”.

Police faced what they called “large scale disorder” after receiving reports of a collision on Snowden Road in Ely around 6pm on Monday, with tensions reaching breaking point as cars were set on fire and fireworks were shot at officers.

A vigil and balloon release has been planned to pay tribute to two teenagers who died in a crash in Ely, Wales on Monday.

A post on Facebook said the vigil would take place at 6pm Friday on Snowden Road where the crash happened.

The post asked those attending to bring blue balloons.

IOPC director David Ford said: “First and foremost our thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends of the two boys who sadly lost their lives on Monday evening in Ely. It is important that we independently investigate the circumstances leading up to this tragic event.

“This incident and the events that followed have, understandably, attracted significant interest and public concern. It is important that we thoroughly and independently investigate this matter, in order to establish the full facts and circumstances of exactly what happened on Monday.”

Scenes being livestreamed on YouTube on Monday night showed youths throwing fireworks and other missiles at a line of police officers with riot shields who were blocking one end of the street.

Rioters set alight the Ford Focus of local Jane Palmer on Highmead Road, Ely.

Two teenage boys – Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15 – were killed while riding an electric bike in Ely on Monday evening, in a crash police said was followed by “large-scale disorder” in which 15 officers were injured, with cars torched and fireworks set off.

South Wales police and crime commissioner Alun Michael suggested on Tuesday morning that rumours of a police chase prior to the crash had become “rife” shortly before locals clashed with officers, but said this version of events “wasn’t the case”.

However, CCTV footage emerged hours later appearing to show a police van driving behind an electric bike on Frank Road in Ely, some 900m from the scene at 5.59pm, minutes before the crash.

The police watchdog will probe “any interaction” between South Wales Police officers and two teenage boys before they were killed in the Ely area of Cardiff while riding an electric bike.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct said in a statement: “Following a referral from South Wales Police we have decided to independently investigate an incident in Ely, Cardiff, on Monday which resulted in the deaths of two teenagers.

“Our decision to investigate follows our attendance at the police post incident procedure and after a review of the information received to date.

“We will be examining any interaction between the police and the boys after CCTV footage emerged apparently showing a police vehicle following a bike prior to the incident.”