Scott Jones And Alex Thomas: Kissing Couple At Vancouver Riot Identified

Vancouver Riots 2011

First Posted: 06/17/11 09:45 AM ET Updated: 08/17/11 06:12 AM ET

CBC -- The mystery identity of the couple kissing while lying on a Vancouver street as riot police battled crowds following the Canucks' Stanley Cup loss has been revealed as Australian Scott Jones and his Canadian girlfriend Alex Thomas.

Jones's family in the Land Down Under said he has been in Canada for six months, working as a bartender and trying to break into acting and standup comedy. At least one of his comedy routines has been posted on YouTube.

Following the Canucks' Game 7 loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night, images of the kissing couple were splashed around the world — notably in Australia after the family came forward as knowing the man caught in a passionate embrace with a woman on the street of the B.C. city.

Hannah Jones, Scott's sister from Perth, told CBC News in an email that the man in the pictures is her 29-year-old brother, and he recently started dating Thomas, who attends the University of Guelph in Ontario.

And via Skype from Perth, their father, Brett, also confirmed that the pair are his son and his new girlfriend.
'It's just completely gone viral'

Brett Jones said the couple had been at the NHL final game, and after the frenzy following the loss spilled into the street, the two were caught in the violence.

"They were between the riot police and the rioters, and the riot police were actually charging forward, and Alex got knocked by a [police] shield and fell to the ground," he told CBC News. "[Scott] was comforting her and gave her a kiss to say, 'It's going to be OK,' and the photographer just took the shot at that moment."

Brett Jones said Scott is fine, and Alex suffered a bruised leg from falling to the ground.

The two are overwhelmed by all the coverage the picture has gotten, he said, noting that he has been fielding calls from media around the world.

"They are both just totally stunned by it, actually."

The dad of the now-famous bartender-standup comedian said Scott was in Vancouver on a work visa, and is leaving in a few days for the U.S., and then heading back to Australia.

But the image of Scott Jones and his girlfriend will likely forever be considered the one bright light in the Vancouver post-Stanley Cup frenzy.

"It's just completely gone viral around the world," his dad noted.

Click over to our slideshow for more photos of the riots and take a peek at the kissing couple below:


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CBC -- The mystery identity of the couple kissing while lying on a Vancouver street as riot police battled crowds following the Canucks' Stanley Cup loss has been revealed as Australian Scott Jones an...
CBC -- The mystery identity of the couple kissing while lying on a Vancouver street as riot police battled crowds following the Canucks' Stanley Cup loss has been revealed as Australian Scott Jones an...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Always Conservative
Shovel ready was not....
05:23 PM on 06/20/2011
If you like this picture, you should see the Sedin twins video... Two girls, no cup...
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sb250guy
A Cunning Linguist
10:58 AM on 06/20/2011
Get some! Who gives a s**t about hockey?

And I'm from Boston.
06:12 PM on 06/18/2011
Oops there's a couple who could not wait to get home
They're probably in love so let's leave them alone
Out in the parking lot

guy clark - out in the parking lot.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
boxiana
pray for surf
10:12 PM on 06/20/2011
fanned for that...
04:30 PM on 06/18/2011
You're absolutely right, you DON'T need it, and that's because couple's like this one have already secured your future and mine, and all of the misery it entails. Now go enjoy the ride!
02:58 AM on 06/18/2011
Attention young Canadian males - While you are busy destroying and burning your own city Aussie guys are picking up all your girls. :-) Have a nice day!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
whizkid
09:30 PM on 06/17/2011
Remember the hotel attached to the stadium in Toronto?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Sofia Champion
The future is now.
09:04 PM on 06/17/2011
It's kind of funny how they'll start an entire riot over the loss of a hockey game and take this very seriously, but when I drop a few swears after dying in a PuG everyone tells me it's "just a game".
08:31 PM on 06/17/2011
A perfect reminder to.............

'Make love not war!'
08:09 PM on 06/17/2011
Can't help but notice:
===============
This young couple has generated a whole lot of ad-views. Lots of revenue is being generated off of them. It has been mighty good for broadcasters, newscasters and tabloids. The total dollar amount of revenue is probably astounding.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stopgeorge
Paper Ballots WORK. Unverifiable e-voting doesn't
08:18 PM on 06/17/2011
Not surprising. It's an iconic photo -- now, with a great story behind it. The couple are cute and bashful, too. They want to get on with their lives now. Which means, the media is going to want more from them.

I hope it doesn't get out of control for them.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stopgeorge
Paper Ballots WORK. Unverifiable e-voting doesn't
08:06 PM on 06/17/2011
Here is the first television interview I've seen of the couple.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8262648/riot-kiss-couple-happy-to-have-shared-moment
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
jachavez
07:53 PM on 06/17/2011
Aww, young love.
http://realesttalkblog.blogspot.com
07:34 PM on 06/17/2011
I strongly dislike how this is being romanticized! It was highly touted on the kid carson show on the radio this morning so all his empty headed minions will follow suit. Now when a riot or something unlawful happens... anyone can stand around and do whatever it takes in the middle of the mayhem and do this and it will be soo cool.
Enough of this...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
stopgeorge
Paper Ballots WORK. Unverifiable e-voting doesn't
07:51 PM on 06/17/2011
You really don't know what you're talking about.

The kid was trying to help his girlfriend who was injured. He gave her a comforting kiss before pulling her up.

There has been video that shows this.

It was an empathetic moment that should be ENCOURAGED.
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Mockdog
Call me Ishmael-We'll do lunch.
08:06 PM on 06/17/2011
It's a very striking photograph. It's as iconic as the sailor/nurse in Times Square on V-J Day; and I think that's what people are reacting to.
08:42 PM on 06/17/2011
I know what your saying, but there is a big difference with the circumstances. The V-J Day image was of a stranger grabbing another stranger and celebrating a world wide historic event. The Vancouver couple was in the midst of a situation which wasn't at all celebratory. The "stakes" were much more noticed and understood back then, and was way before instant media. Imagine how the V-Jay Day pic would have instantly been seen today. It wasn't until the late '70's that the nurse identified herself. The sailor was never positively identified.
06:45 PM on 06/17/2011
Now that is HOT!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
13champlain
It is all good....range rover all wood
06:37 PM on 06/17/2011
she has nice legs
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Holly Smoke
Humor is the best defense for absurdity.
06:33 PM on 06/17/2011
I hope you Canadian finally figure who are behind the Stanley Cup lost - It is them Australian messing around with your girls.