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Ely: Boys died from head injuries in Cardiff crash - inquest

Family photos Harvey Evans and Kyrees SullivanFamily photos
Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in an electric bike crash

Two boys who died after an electric bike crash that sparked a riot suffered head injuries, a coroner has been told.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and his friend Harvey Evans, 15, died on Snowden Road, Ely, in Cardiff shortly after 18:00 BST on 22 May.

They were found by a member of the public, Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard.

Their deaths led to a riot, with cars set alight and police officers attacked.

The boys were seen riding an electric bike on the road, coroner Patricia Morgan was told.

"A short time later, both were found by a member of the public having come off the bike," the inquest into their deaths heard.

Post-mortem examinations found the provisional cause of death for Kyrees to be "blunt injury to the head," while Harvey died as a result of "blunt injury to the head and trunk".

The coroner said the deaths were "violent or unnatural" and an inquest was required, but adjourned for an ongoing police investigation to be concluded.

Getty Images An upturned car burns at the scene of disorder in CardiffGetty Images
Cars were overturned and set on fire during a riot that saw injuries to 15 police officers

Nine people were arrested for allegedly taking part in the riot.

One of the boys' aunts said police are to blame for the crash.

"They were two children who were chased to their death by South Wales Police," said Hayley Murphy, aunt of Harvey.

Harvey's aunt and grandmother
Harvey's aunt and grandmother described him as cheeky but loveable

Police admitted officers had been following the boys before the crash, but said only the bike was involved in the fatal incident.

CCTV from minutes before the crash showed a police van driving at a distance behind the two boys, but the force said its nearest vehicle was half a mile away when the bike crashed.

Map showing Ely in Cardiff and scene of fatal crash involving two teenagers at 18:02 on 22 May in Snowden Road. It shows the route of a police van which followed the boys and their likely route. Timings given are: 17:59 Boys on bike seen travelling towards police van; 18:00 Bike turns round and is followed by van; 18:01 Van follows bike before turning on to Howell Road; 18:02 Police van turns on to Grand Avenue; 18:06 Police van on Cowbridge Road West when it receives report of collision

About 800 family, friends and members of the wider community of Ely attended a vigil and balloon release for the two boys last Friday evening.

Ms Murphy told the BBC after the vigil: "It still doesn't seem real that we're here for Harvey and Kyrees."

Tribute in Ely
Many tributes to the two boys have been left in Ely

She also revealed the electric bike was an early 16th birthday present.

Harvey's grandmother, Dawn Rees, said Harvey and Kyrees "did everything together, they loved each other like brothers".

"[Kyrees] was lovely. If I needed milk he went to the shop for me, always asking if I needed anything. A lovely boy," she added.