The car plunged more than 25 metres from a highway bridge into a canal, Swedish police told reporters. The accident happened on Saturday in the Swedish capital Stockholm.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the accident, but it is believed the car smashed into a road barrier before hitting the water, the UK's Telegraph newspaper reported.

Local police were quoted as saying their car plunged through a gap in the bridge which had opened to let a boat pass underneath. The barrier has flashing lights and warning signs.

Inspector Martin Bergholm told the BBC: "For some reason, the car drove through the barriers and crashed down into the canal."

Divers have recovered the bodies of five men.

The Warrington-based band members were Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe and Jack Dakin. Their manager Craig Tarry was also believed to have been in the car.

The BBC said they were part of the line-up for a Swedish music festival on Friday.

The band had posted a photo of themselves on their Facebook page en route to the festival.

Norrköping! We play Dynamo (Hallarna) tonight at 9.30pm!Posted by Viola Beach on  Friday, 12 February 2016

The four-piece released their debut single Swings & Waterslides last year.

Fans and musicians took to Twitter on Sunday to pay tribute to the up-and-coming band.

The British Foreign Office said it was in contact with the local authorities and supporting the families of the victims.

Agencies