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

Three teenagers have died after a car entered the River Wear - and a boy who reached safety has been arrested, police have said.

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

Four people are understood to have been in the car at the time. Following a major emergency operation, the three bodies were recovered from the water.

The search centred on the area around Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge, where the car entered the water around 1.30pm on Tuesday.

A 17-year-old boy who managed to reach safety has since been arrested, the force said. He is in hospital with non-serious injuries, and remains in police custody.

Chief Superintendent 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.

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

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also sent two fire engines and a 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."

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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."

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