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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Cathy Owen

Vigil planned to pay tribute to boys who died in Ely crash

A vigil and balloon release has been planned to pay tribute to the two boys who died in an electric bike crash in Ely, Cardiff. Best friends Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in a collision on Snowden Road on Monday.

Before that First Minister Mark Drakeford will bring together community representatives and public agencies to discuss support for the Ely community.

The death of the boys sparked several hours of violence and disorder after word spread on social media that a marked police van had been pursuing the pair minutes before the crash.

Read more: Nine people arrested in connection with Ely riot, police say as they issue update on investigation

In response to the events, Mr Drakeford will chair a meeting on Friday between local politicians, agencies, and community groups including ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely).

He will be joined by Social Justice minister Jane Hutt, as well as Kevin Brennan MP, South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael, Ely councillor Russell Goodway and Councillor Huw Thomas and Cardiff Council leader Paul Orders.

Nine people between the ages of 15 and 21 were arrested following the disorder. CCTV from the area has since confirmed police were following the teenagers despite South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael dismissing it the following day as "rumour".

The vigil and balloon release has been planned to pay tribute to the boys.

In a Facebook post, a friend of the families said: "We know tensions are still high right now. But we ask if tomorrow night for the balloon release people can keep their anger inside.

"The mums asked if no Surons can be seen around out of respect and tomorrow night let us all come together for the love and life that they had here with us."

Police said they are continuing to investigate both the crash and the riot which followed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into "any interaction" between the South Wales force and the teenagers prior to the crash.

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