Three teenagers have died after a car crashed through a barrier and entered the River Wear in Sunderland, prompting a major emergency response.
The incident happened near Panns Bank and Wearmouth Bridge at about 1.30pm. Police said four teenagers were believed to have been travelling in a black Audi A3 when it went into the river.
The 17-year-old driver managed to escape from the vehicle and was taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered serious. He has since been arrested and remains in police custody.
Two boys and a girl recovered from the river
Emergency crews later recovered the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl from the water.
No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the crash.
Northumbria Police said the investigation remains in its early stages as officers work to establish exactly what happened before the Audi left the road.
Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Sunderland’s Area Commander, described the incident as “truly tragic” and said the thoughts of police were with the victims’ families, friends and everyone affected.
Major search operation launched
The crash triggered a large multi-agency response involving police, firefighters, paramedics, coastguard personnel and RNLI crews.
Rescue boats were deployed on the river while specialist teams searched the water. Coastguard and RNLI personnel were also seen using poles during the operation, while a helicopter assisted with the search.
Fire crews from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire appliances, a fire boat and specialist officers to assist other emergency services.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service also dispatched a critical care team. Its aircraft, carrying a doctor and paramedic, arrived at the scene shortly after 1.50pm.
Witnesses describe scenes of shock
The emergency operation attracted dozens of members of the public, with onlookers gathering on both sides of the river as rescue teams worked.
A local resident said a neighbour had contacted emergency services after witnessing the incident from a nearby window.
The resident described seeing numerous ambulances and helicopters at the scene and said the scale of the response was unlike anything he had previously witnessed in the area.
Police urge public not to speculate
Authorities have urged people to avoid the area and warned against speculation about the circumstances of the crash, particularly on social media.
Chief Superintendent Cowie said comments made before the facts are established could have a significant impact on the families of those involved.
“Our investigation is at a very early stage,” he said, while thanking emergency-service partners who took part in the search and rescue operation.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness also said she had been receiving updates from the incident commander and asked people to allow emergency services to carry out their work.
Ambulance crews treated driver
The North East Ambulance Service said it received the emergency call at 1.23pm after reports that a vehicle had entered the River Wear.
An emergency ambulance, clinical team leader, three officers, an air ambulance and the service’s full Hazardous Area Response Team were dispatched.
The driver was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.
Police appeal for crucial footage
Investigators are now appealing for witnesses and anyone who may have captured the incident or the moments leading up to it.
Northumbria Police is particularly interested in CCTV and dashcam footage that could help establish how the vehicle entered the river.
Anyone with information can contact Northumbria Police through its social-media channels, online live chat or reporting forms, or by calling 101 and quoting reference NP-20260929-0589.
Police have also asked members of the public to respect the privacy of the victims’ families as they face the devastating consequences of the tragedy.
