HIS FIRST GOAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE START — JACKSON DUKE’S FOOTBALL DREAM ENDS IN RIVER WEAR TRAGEDY

Jackson Duke was only 17, a promising young striker with his football journey ahead of him. Days after scoring for Hebburn Town U18s, his life was tragically cut short alongside two other teenagers in the River Wear.

Jackson Duke had every reason to believe his football story was only just beginning.

The 17-year-old had recently celebrated a moment young players dream about — finding the back of the net for Hebburn Town Juniors FC’s Under-18 team.

For his teammates and coaches, it was another glimpse of a young footballer with plenty of potential and years of memories still to make.

Instead, that goal became one of the final football memories his teammates would ever have of him.

Just days later, Jackson was one of three teenagers who lost their lives when a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland.

A YOUNG FOOTBALLER WITH HIS FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM

Jackson was remembered by Hebburn Town as a much-loved member of its football family.

The club said his death would be deeply felt by his teammates, coaches and friends, describing him as someone whose loss had left the entire club grieving.

He was also remembered by his former school, Castle View Enterprise Academy, as a well-respected and popular student.

School leaders described Jackson as polite, friendly and much-liked, while also remembering his enthusiasm for sport.

He had been a keen sportsman and a valued member of the school’s football team.

Those who watched him play were seeing a teenager developing his talent.

No one could have known how suddenly that journey would end.

THE TRAGEDY ON THE RIVER WEAR

On the afternoon of September 29, emergency services were called after reports that a black Audi A3 had come off the road at Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge, and entered the River Wear.

Four teenagers were believed to have been inside.

Jackson, 17, and fellow teenagers Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both 16, died.

A fourth 17-year-old boy managed to reach safety and suffered non-serious injuries.

A major emergency response followed, involving police, firefighters, coastguard teams and the RNLI.

The bodies of the three teenagers were later recovered from the water.

THREE LIVES, THREE FAMILIES LEFT HEARTBROKEN

Jackson was from the Sunderland area, as was Luke.

Zara was from the Houghton-le-Spring area.

Their deaths have devastated families, friends, classmates and the wider community.

Luke’s family remembered him as loving, kind, caring, funny and handsome. They spoke about his love of football and described him as a devoted Sunderland supporter.

Zara’s family remembered a girl with a “zest for life”, saying she had brought joy and pride to those around her.

And Jackson’s former school spoke of a young man who had made a positive impression on both staff and fellow students.

Three teenagers with different personalities, families and dreams were suddenly gone.

THE QUESTIONS POLICE ARE STILL TRYING TO ANSWER

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Northumbria Police have said no other vehicles are believed to have been involved and that inquiries are continuing to establish exactly what led to the car entering the river.

A 17-year-old boy who survived was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Police have also stressed that they are still working to establish who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Officers have urged people not to speculate about the circumstances, particularly on social media, because of the potential impact on the grieving families.

HIS TEAMMATES ARE LEFT WITH THE MEMORIES

For Jackson’s teammates, the football pitch will now carry a memory that is impossible to separate from the loss.

The place where young players normally celebrate goals, joke with friends and dream about where football might take them has become a reminder of someone whose journey ended far too soon.

His first goals should have been followed by many more.

There should have been more matches.

More celebrations.

More dressing-room memories.

More chances to discover just how far his talent could take him.

Instead, those who knew Jackson are left looking back at the moments they shared with a young footballer whose story had barely begun.

Jackson Duke was only 17.

His teammates will remember the player he was.

His family will remember the boy behind the football.

And a community will now carry the memory of a