Police in Wales are to examine CCTV footage that appears to show a police van following an electric bike moments before two teenagers were killed in a crash that sparked riots.
The Mirror reports that best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, both died in the crash on the battery-powered bike on Snowden Road in Ely, a housing estate south of Cardiff. The deaths were met with outrage and turned the area into what locals called an "absolute war zone".
Vehicles were overturned and torched as a reported 150-plus youths scrapped with police. South Wales Police said 15 officers were injured in the battles.
The force denied earlier reports that police had been involved in a pursuit with the bicycle before it crashed. However, video footage obtained and checked by the BBC's Verify service shows a bike on Frank Road, around half a mile from the crash site, shortly followed by a police van.
The footage was timestamped as being captured at 5.59pm. The crash happened at 6.03pm.
Cardiff Chief Superintendent Martyn Stone said investigators are studying the video. However, he denied that a police vehicle was on Snowden Road at the time of the crash – saying that a police vehicle on the connecting street of Grand Avenue "responded to the report of a collision [and] attended the area."
Ch Supt Stone said: "We have received CCTV footage that shows a police vehicle following a bike at just prior to 6pm. This footage is being recovered as part of the investigation and will assist us in piecing together the circumstances leading up to the collision.
"When the collision occurred there were no police vehicles on Snowdon Road. The families of the two boys are being supported by family liaison officers and 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."
The chief superintendent also said 15 officers were injured during the rioting and 11 needed hospital treatment, while several arrests have been made. It comes after South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael reportedly said that a chase did not take place on Tuesday morning.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers. That appears to have sparked, for reasons that aren't clear, the disorder that you've referred to."
The riots have rocked the community in Ely, with local leaders calling for calm. Belinda, the mother of Kyrees Sullivan, claimed the disturbances had prevented her being allowed to her son's body.
She said in a Facebook post: "My son is still laying on the floor due to this riot. I'm sat at home heartbroken. There are two families broken right now.
"I just want to see my son and I can't because of this riot. Please I beg you all to stop and let my son be moved to hospital so I can see him."
Thousands of people flooded to the comments section to offer their condolences and pay tribute to Kyrees, describing him as a "lovely young boy".
One friend wrote: "So sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy as a family you're all so strong. Absolutely devastated and heartbroken for you all."
Another said: "My heart breaks for the families who lost someone today. Kyrees you were a lovely young boy and you'll never be forgotten."
Paying tribute to both teens, another pal posted: "You will forever be missed by everyone. You were the funniest people I could ever meet.
"You didn't deserve to get taken so young. I'm so glad I made memories with you only 15 and 16.
"I love you and going to miss you so much. You both were each other's best friends and I'm so happy you got taken together."
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