Three teenagers who died when a car crashed through a barrier and plunged into the River Wear have been pictured.
Emergency services were called to the river in Sunderland, near Panns Bank and Wearmouth Bridge, at about 1.30pm on Tuesday.
Four teenagers were reportedly travelling in the black Audi A3. A 17-year-old passenger managed to escape and reach safety. He has since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
The victims have been identified as Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge, 16, and Zara Shaw, 16.
Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Area Commander for Sunderland, said: ‘Our thoughts, first and foremost, remain with the families and friends of the teenagers who have so tragically lost their lives.
‘The past 24 hours have brought unimaginable agony and heartbreak to the loved ones of Luke, Jackson and Zara.
‘All three had their whole lives ahead of them and will be deeply missed.
‘I know the wider Sunderland community will join me in offering our heartfelt condolences to their families at this devastating time.’
Luke Etheridge, 16, has been pictured. Four teenagers were reportedly inside the black Audi A3 when it entered the River Wear.
Zara Shaw, 16, has been pictured. Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie said the previous 24 hours had brought ‘unimaginable agony and heartbreak’.
Jackson Duke, 17, has been pictured. The 17-year-old fourth passenger in the car has been arrested.
‘We will do everything possible to support them and continue to ask that their privacy is respected.
‘We also recognise the profound impact this tragedy has had on the people of Sunderland and beyond, and know that you will continue to support one another.’
He added: ‘Our investigation into the circumstances that led to the car entering the water is ongoing.
‘We continue to ask members of the public not to speculate about the incident, either on social media or within the community.
‘Please remain mindful of the potential impact such comments could have on the families of those involved.’
Police officers, firefighters and paramedics sealed off a car park after the vehicle broke through a barrier and entered the water.
Images from the scene showed ambulances, police cars and a fire engine positioned along the riverbank, while two rescue boats were deployed on the River Wear.
Coastguard and RNLI teams were seen probing the water with poles. A helicopter was also used during the search operation.
The mangled Audi was lifted from the water by a crane earlier in the afternoon. Its front end was severely damaged, with the bonnet apparently torn away.
The vehicle was pulled from the water just 24 hours after the crash which claimed the lives of three teenagers
A 17-year-old boy is in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving
Dozens of panicked onlookers gathered on either side of the river to watch the response unfold.
A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said his neighbour called emergency services after witnessing the incident from his window.
The 31-year-old said: ‘There were loads of ambulances here. We had helicopters here at one point.
‘This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this around here.
‘I’ve lived here for three years, this is sad to see.
‘Some families may get some awful, awful news today.’
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Another man, who did not wish to be named, reported hearing a ‘bang’ and a sound ‘like a very large rock hitting water’, followed shortly by sirens.
The crash site is reportedly popular with youths driving cars erratically, including performing ‘donuts’ where the vehicle rotates in a circle to create skid marks, locals have said. Such skid marks were visible at the scene today.
Emergency services were called to the banks of the waterway in Sunderland near Wearmouth Bridge at around 1.30pm yesterday
An RNLI lifeboat is pictured at the scene. The coastguard and RNLI were seen using poles to probe the water
A water rescue unit at the scene. Members of the public were asked to avoid the area
One girl who witnessed the crash and then telephoned the emergency services said there was no sign of the driver showing off before the incident.
The 17-year-old, who did not want to be named, said: ‘The car came down into the car park and it parked up in a bay in front of the barriers. There was nothing unusual in the way it was driving.
‘The driver and a passenger got out and had a quick chat. I don’t know for sure, but when they got back into the car I think they might have swapped positions, so the passenger was driving.
‘All of a sudden, the car just flew through the barrier. It was as if the driver had tried to reverse and put the car in first gear by accident.’
She added: ‘We just heard this crash and saw the car go through the barrier and then the screeching noise of the bottom of the car scraping against the side of the river wall.
‘I phoned 999 and by that time the boy had got out. He had gone under as if he was looking for the car but then came straight back up.
‘He then swam around to the other side of the car and was screaming “help”.
‘He swam to a ladder and climbed out. An onlooker grabbed a life ring and ran to the edge of the water, as though he was waiting for someone to come back up, but no one did.
‘I was so shocked by the whole thing, I was trying to rattle everything off to the police.
‘All the emergency services arrived so quickly, fire engines, ambulances, and the boy who got out was over on the concrete.
‘People on social media have been saying they were doing donuts but they weren’t, those marks were definitely from other people.’
Sunderland Football Club were among those to respond to the tragedy yesterday.
A spokesman said: ‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic incident on the River Wear today.
‘At a deeply difficult time for our city, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, and everyone affected by this tragedy. We also pay tribute to the emergency services and all those who have responded at the scene.’
Sunderland College said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear three students from our Bede Campus tragically lost their lives yesterday afternoon.
‘This is a heartbreaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland.
‘Everyone at Sunderland College extends our heartfelt thoughts and deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
‘We also pay tribute to the emergency services and all those who responded at the scene. Support is available to any students or our colleagues who may be affected by this tragedy and ask that the privacy of the families of those involved is respected.’
Police have said no other vehicle was believed to have been involved in the incident.
Anyone with information, in particular CCTV or dashcam footage, has been asked to send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use live chat and report forms on the Force’s website.
Alternatively, 101 can be dialled, quoting reference number NP-20260929-0589.
This is a breaking news story. More to come
