Tanker 'Probably' Sailed Over Viola Beach Car
A 125m-long oil tanker "probably" sailed over the wrecked car of indie band Viola Beach minutes after it plunged more than 24m (80ft) off a bridge, the ship's operator has said.
A spokesman for the Tellus told Sky News no-one on the 7,500-ton vessel saw the vehicle fall into the Sodertalje canal in Sweden.
And if the crew had been warned about the car wreck being in the water they would have tried to stop the 18m-wide ship, Daniel Backman said.
He said: "Do not blame the crew or pilot because of this incident, they could not do anything to prevent it."
All four members of the British group and their manager were killed when their vehicle smashed through a bridge barrier and into the water below in the early hours of Saturday.
The car had plunged through a gap in the highway bridge which had been opened to let the vessel, which was heading to Lake Malaren, pass.
The Tellus crew members were reported to have spotted the wreckage of the black Nissan Qashqai but thought it was big chunks of snow.
Mr Backman said he "did not know" if that was true.
When asked if he thought the tanker actually collided with the car, Mr Backman replied: "I do not know but I don't think (so)."
Singer Kris Leonard, guitarist River Reeves, bassist Tomas Lowe, drummer Jack Dakin and manager Craig Tarry died around 25 miles from Stockholm after a gig.
Maritime officials reportedly did not see the accident take place and gave the ship the green light to continue.
Mr Backman, spokesman for Sirius Shipping, told Sky News: "If the crew had been warned he would have of course tried to stop."
Meanwhile, the family of Mr Tarry has urged people to buy their music as a tribute.
Speaking in public for the first time about his son's death, Colin Tarry said he hopes the up-and-coming British indie group "didn't die in vain".
Colin Tarry said: "It's just a tragic loss. I just don't want them to die in vain. Go out there and buy their records. Let's get them to number one."