The police van seen following an electric bike minutes before a crash that killed two teenagers in Cardiff was half a mile away when the incident occurred, police have stated. 

Two teenagers died in the crash, which then led to widespread rioting late into the night in the Ely area of Cardiff. 

Police have now released a full timeline of events, which they state makes clear the van was not near the boys when they were killed in a crash.

The two victims have been named as Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, with both dying following a crash while riding an electric bike.

Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon gave the following timeline of events for the evening of Monday May 22, based on a combination of eyewitness reports, CCTV and tracking data.

5.59pm – CCTV footage shows an electric bike approaching a police van in Frank Road. The bike then turns around. 

6pm – The bike can be seen being followed by the police van, without its sirens or lights turned on. This is the clip that sparked outrage on social media. 

6.01pm – The police vehicle can be seen at New Ely Church roundabout, and heads through Archer Road, Stanway Road, and Howell Road.

6.02pm – The approximate time of the electric bike’s collision in Snowden Road. At this time, the police van is in Grand Avenue – half a mile away from the crash.

6.06pm – The police van is on Cowbridge Road West when it receives information about the collision, turns its blue lights on and makes its way to the scene.

Friends have claimed they were being chased by police, but South Wales Police previously said the collision had already occurred when officers arrived, adding that rumours spread online that there had been a police chase were false.

Yesterday South Wales Police Chief Superintendent Martyn Stone said CCTV footage showing an electric bike being followed by a police van had emerged and would “form part of the investigation”.

Earlier today, Harvey’s family called for an end to the riots that sparked following the incident. 

Harvey’s family said their hearts were “truly broken” by his death and described him as living “life to the full” and having a “big heart” adding that “deep down, he truly cared”.

The family also said they asked for “peace within the community and request that people leave the investigation to the police so we can get the answers we so desperately need.

“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”.

Kyrees was described by his family as a “handsome young man” and a “loving son and brother”.

They added he and Harvey “went everywhere together” and were loved “not only by their families but by their community as well”.

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