Three teenagers have died after a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland. The bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl were recovered from the water near the Wearmouth Bridge on Tuesday evening.
A major emergency response was sparked after the car entered the river shortly after 1.30pm. Police, firefighters, coastguard, paramedics and the air ambulance were among those called to the scene. The three teenagers were in the car that entered the river. It is understood that four people were in the vehicle when it plunged into the water, but the driver reportedly managed to jump out of the car.
Investigation and Arrest
A 17-year-old boy, who was also in the car, has been arrested in connection with the incident. He was able to make it back to safety before being taken into police custody, where he remains at this time. The boy who survived is in hospital with non-serious injuries, as officers continue enquiries to understand the full circumstances.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the incident at this stage. The next of kin of those who died have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained Northumbria Police officers.
Official Statements and Tributes
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."
Sunderland AFC said in a statement: "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."
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "Absolutely devastating news. My love and thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the three teenagers that lost their lives today. Huge thank you to the emergency services and everyone involved in the ongoing response to this incident."
Emergency Response and Appeal
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call to 999 at 1.23pm today to reports of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. We sent a number of resources to the scene, including three emergency ambulances, a clinical team leader, three officers, our full Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) as well as the air ambulance. Sadly, despite the best efforts of all emergency services in attendance, three teenagers died at the scene."
Northumbria Police has asked anyone with information, particularly CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact them via social media, live chat, or report forms on the force website, or call 101 quoting reference number NP-20260929-0589. The public has been asked to avoid the area and not to livestream or post images from the scene.
