Police name and release photographs of three teenagers who tragically died after car plunged into River Wear
“All three had their whole futures ahead of them and will be hugely missed”
Northumbria Police have confirmed the names of three teenagers who tragically died after a car plunged into the River Wear yesterday afternoon (September 29).
Shortly before 1.30pm yesterday (September 29), police officers received a number of reports of a black Audi A3 car coming off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and entering the water.
The incident caused a huge emergency services response to locate the car and try to rescue the occupants with local boaters also rushing to the scene.
Northumbria Police have this afternoon (September 30) confirmed the names of the three teenagers who have tragically lost their lives.
Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both aged 16, were all in the car at the time it plunged into the River Wear.
Jackson and Luke were from the Sunderland area, while Zara was from Houghton-le-Spring.
Another occupant of the car – a 17-year-old boy - reached safety and sustained non-serious injuries.
He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and he remains in police custody at this time.
However, enquiries remain ongoing to establish who was the driver of the car at the time it entered the water.
Addressing the media at Southwick Police Station, Chief Supt Scott Cowie, Area Commander for Sunderland, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the teenagers who have tragically lost their lives.
“The last 24 hours have brought unimaginable agony and heartbreak for the loved ones of Luke, Jackson and Zara.
“All three had their whole futures ahead of them and will be hugely missed.
“I know the wider community will want to join me in offering their families’ our heartfelt condolences at this devastating time.
“We will do everything we can to support them, and would continue to ask for their privacy to be respected.
“We also recognise the impact that this tragedy has had upon the people of Sunderland and further afield, and know that you will continue to be there for one another.
“The investigation into the circumstances leading to the car entering the water remains ongoing.
“We would continue to 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.”
Anyone with information, particularly those with CCTV or dashcam footage, should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the report forms on theirs website at https://www.northumbria.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/.
Anyone with footage should submit this via the following link: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/10NP26A30-PO1
You can also call 101 and quote reference number NP-20260929-0589.