Three teenagers dead after car entered River Wear in Sunderland - as 17-year-old arrested

Three teenagers have died after a car entered the River Wear and a 17-year-old boy has been arrested, police have said.

A black Audi A3 went into the water in Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon, killing two teenage boys and a teenage girl, Northumbria Police said.

Four people are understood to have been in the car at the time, with the 17-year-old boy managing to reach safety.

He has since been arrested in connection to the incident.

The teenager is currently in hospital with non-serious injuries, and remains in police custody.

Following a major emergency operation, the three bodies were recovered from the water.

Rescuers have been searching the river Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge, where the car entered the water at about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Chief Supt Scott Cowie, Area Commander for Sunderland, said: "This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives.

"Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened.

"We will continue to support them in any way that we can and ask that their privacy is respected at this time."

He added: "Our investigation is at a very early stage in establishing the circumstances surrounding what has happened.

"We would ask members of the public not to speculate about the incident both on social media and in the community.

"In doing so, please be mindful of the potential impact such commentary could have on the families of those involved in this incident."

Northumbria Police have asked members of the community to avoid the area.

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Earlier this afternoon, police, ambulance crews, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Coastguard were on the scene.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) also dispatched two fire engines and a fire boat to assist with the rescue operation.

In a post on X, Lewis Atkinson, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, said: "I'm aware of the serious incident in the Wear this afternoon.

"My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families, and with the emergency services responding to the scene."

Kim McGuinness, mayor for the North East, said: "I'm aware of the serious incident on the River Wear today after a car entered the water in Sunderland.

"Rescue teams are at the scene and right now we must hope and pray for those involved.

"I've asked the incident commander to keep me updated as we let the emergency services do their work."

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