THREE TEENAGERS KILLED AFTER AUDI PLUNGES INTO RIVER WEAR NAMED AS FAMILIES AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE

Three teenagers who died after the car they were travelling in plunged into the River Wear in Sunderland have been named as their families, friends and college community mourn their deaths.

Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both 16, were inside a black Audi A3 when it came off the road at Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge, shortly before 1.30pm on Tuesday, September 29.

Northumbria Police said Jackson and Luke were from the Sunderland area, while Zara was from Houghton-le-Spring.

All three were students at Sunderland College’s Bede Campus.

Their next of kin are being supported by specialist officers as the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continues.

FOUR PEOPLE WERE IN THE CAR

Police were called after members of the public reported seeing a black Audi A3 leave the road and enter the River Wear.

Four people are understood to have been inside the vehicle.

Emergency services launched a major search operation involving Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI and HM Coastguard.

A 17-year-old boy, who was also in the Audi, managed to reach safety and suffered non-serious injuries.

He was initially taken to hospital before being released and taken into police custody.

The teenager was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody.

However, police have made clear that inquiries are still under way to establish who was driving the Audi when it entered the river.

No other vehicles are currently believed to have been involved.

The arrest is an allegation only, and no finding of guilt has been made.

BODIES RECOVERED AFTER MAJOR SEARCH

The three teenagers were recovered from the River Wear following an intensive search operation on Tuesday.

Emergency crews worked around the area near Wearmouth Bridge while police divers and rescue teams searched the water.

Witnesses described seeing large numbers of emergency vehicles, boats and helicopters at the scene as the operation continued.

The following day, police recovered the Audi from the river.

Police divers attached equipment to the vehicle before it was lifted out by crane. Images showed the black Audi being brought out of the water upside down, with visible damage to the front of the vehicle.

Northumbria Police said the investigation remains at an early stage.

Officers are examining what happened immediately before the vehicle left the road and entered the water.

They have also appealed for anyone with information, CCTV footage or dashcam recordings to contact them.

JACKSON DUKE, 17

Jackson Duke was 17 and from the Sunderland area.

His death has prompted tributes from family, friends and members of the local community.

Jackson’s mother, Leanne Cruickshanks, paid tribute to her son on social media, describing her devastation and asking people not to speculate about what happened.

“I am absolutely devastated to be writing this but sadly today my gorgeous boy Jackson lost his life,” she wrote, according to reports.

She also asked people to allow her family to grieve privately.

Jackson was pictured wearing a suit and tie in an image released by police following the tragedy.

LUKE ETHERIDGE, 16

Luke Etheridge, 16, was also from the Sunderland area.

A photograph released by police showed Luke smiling and giving a thumbs-up.

Friends and members of the community have since left flowers and messages near the scene as they remember the teenager.

Luke and Jackson were both reported to have been supporters of Sunderland AFC, with photographs showing them wearing the club’s colours.

Sunderland AFC also issued a message of support following the tragedy.

“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,” the club said.

The club also paid tribute to the emergency services involved in the response.

ZARA SHAW, 16

Zara Shaw, 16, was from Houghton-le-Spring.

A photograph released by Northumbria Police showed her smiling while sitting at a table.

She was one of the three Sunderland College students who died in the crash.

Her death, alongside those of Jackson and Luke, has left the college community grieving.

Flowers, cards and other tributes have appeared near the riverside, including messages from fellow students remembering the teenagers and expressing their sorrow.

SUNDERLAND COLLEGE ‘DEEPLY SADDENED’

Sunderland College confirmed that all three teenagers were students at the Bede Campus.

In a statement, the college said it was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland,” the college said.

It extended its condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the three students.

The college is also providing support to students and staff affected by the tragedy.

The deaths have been felt across Sunderland, with members of the public leaving flowers and messages close to the river.

POLICE URGE PUBLIC NOT TO SPECULATE

Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Area Commander for Sunderland, said the past 24 hours had brought profound grief to the families of Jackson, Luke and Zara.

“The last 24 hours have brought unimaginable agony and heartbreak for the loved ones of Luke, Jackson and Zara,” he said.

“All three had their whole futures ahead of them and will be hugely missed.”

He said police would continue to support the families and asked that their privacy be respected.

Cowie also urged people not to speculate about the circumstances of the crash, particularly on social media.

Police have specifically warned people against livestreaming or sharing images from the scene, stressing the potential impact such material and speculation could have on the families involved.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

Detectives are continuing to establish exactly what happened before the Audi entered the River Wear.

At this stage, police have not said who was driving the vehicle.

They have also confirmed that no other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

The 17-year-old survivor remains in police custody on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

That investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and whether further action is appropriate.

Northumbria Police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward, quoting reference number NP-20260929-0589.

For now, Sunderland is left mourning three teenagers whose lives ended in a sudden tragedy.

Jackson Duke, Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw were remembered by their college, friends, families and the wider community as tributes continued to appear beside the River Wear.

Their families have asked for privacy as they face the devastating loss, while the investigation into how the Audi entered the river continues.