Funeral held in Cardiff for teens who died in Ely crash that sparked riot
Mourners were asked to wear something blue as they gathered to remember Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16. Thousands of people were expected to line the streets in the Ely area of Cardiff.
Thursday 6 July 2023 13:54, UK
Crowds of mourners gathered in Cardiff for the funeral of two teenagers who died in a crash in Cardiff that sparked a night of rioting.
Harvey Evans, 15, and Kyrees Sullivan, 16, died following the collision in the Ely area of Cardiff in May.
They were riding an electric bike that was being followed by police until moments before it crashed on Snowden Road on 22 May.
A joint funeral for both boys was held at the Church of Resurrection, Ely, this afternoon.
Mourners were asked to "incorporate something blue" in what they wore.
Thousands were expected to attend the joint service for Kyrees and Harvey who had been "close since nursery".
Local schools closed early "due to the magnitude of people and traffic on the roads", the Diocese of Llandaff said.
The families decided the two friends should be "buried together in the same grave".
Friends of the boys organised two limousines, four hearses and eight Rolls Royce cars, along with 200-440 motorbikes, for the procession.
It was confirmed roads would be closed by council workers rather than police while an independent investigation continues into the local force.
Hearts 'truly broken'
Following their deaths, the boys' families paid tribute to the "best friends".
Harvey's family said their hearts were "truly broken" and described him as living "life to the full", adding that "deep down, he truly cared".
"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," his mother added.
Read more:
Mum of teen killed in Cardiff crash pays tribute
Cardiff crash - a timeline of events
Kyrees's family described him as a "handsome young man" and a "loving son and brother".
They said he and Harvey "went everywhere together" and were loved "not only by their families but by their community as well".
Investigation continues into police
Two South Wales Police officers who followed the boys in a marked police vehicle minutes before the crash have been issued misconduct notices, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed last month.
The watchdog stressed that this was to notify the officers their conduct was under investigation and did not necessarily mean that disciplinary action would follow.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales had initially dismissed reports the boys were being followed by police as a "rumour".
CCTV footage later emerged of two boys on a bike being followed by a police vehicle on nearby Frank Road moments before the crash on Snowden Road.
Additional footage showed the police vehicle turn off before the boys proceeded to travel down Snowden Road.
Rioting followed in the hours after the crash.
So far, 27 people have been arrested in connection with the disorder, police said.
In the days following the crash, flowers and tributes were laid near the scene by friends and family.
Blue balloons were also released in memory of the two teenagers.