Three teens who died in car that entered river named
Police have identified three teenagers who died after their car entered the River Wear in Sunderland. A fourth teenager survived the incident and has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Why it matters
This is a tragic local news event that has prompted a police investigation into the circumstances of the fatal accident.
Published 30 September 2026, 17:10 BST Updated 7 minutes ago Two teenage boys and a teenage girl who died when a car they were in ended up in the River Wear have been named by police.
Northumbria Police said a black Audi A3 came off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, and went in the water just before 13:30 BST on Tuesday. Four people were in the car at the time.
The three who died have been named as Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both 16.
A 17-year-old boy who managed to reach safety has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, the force said.
The force said the investigation into the circumstances leading up to the car entering the water, including who was driving, were ongoing.
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