“OUR HEARTS WILL ACHE FOREVER”: FAMILIES PAY HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES TO THREE TEENAGERS

Zara Shaw and Luke Etheridge, both 16, and Jackson Duke, 17, had their whole lives ahead of them. After a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland, their families shared deeply personal tributes to the teenagers they will never forget.

The families of three teenagers who died after a car entered the River Wear have spoken of their devastating loss, remembering not just how their loved ones died, but the laughter, kindness and everyday moments that made them so special.

Zara Shaw, Luke Etheridge and Jackson Duke died after a black Audi A3 left Panns Bank and entered the water near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland shortly before 1:30 p.m. on September 29, 2026.

As the community continues to mourn, the words shared by their families offer a glimpse into the young lives behind the headlines.

“REST SAFE, OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRL, ZARA”

Zara’s family described her as a young woman with an extraordinary zest for life.

In a tribute released on October 2, they wrote that she had “a zest for life and life loved you,” remembering her infectious laugh, smile and love of making dance videos.

They spoke of how proud they were of her achievements, the skills she had learned and the lifelong friendships she had made.

Zara was also a beloved sister to Olivia, who her family said loved her deeply and unconditionally.

Their statement reflected the many roles Zara held in the lives of those around her: daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, girlfriend and best friend.

The family thanked everyone who had been part of her life and expressed gratitude for the kindness and support they had received during what they described as the worst time of their lives.

They ended with a message that captured both their love and their grief:

“Rest safe our beautiful girl, Zara.”

“SUNDERLAND WILL MISS ITS NUMBER ONE FAN”

Luke’s family remembered a teenager whose love of football was central to his life.

They described their son as “loving, kind, caring, funny and handsome,” adding that he was friendly and polite.

A passionate Sunderland supporter, Luke followed the latest football news and eagerly shared updates with his family. He also loved playing football, shopping for clothes and spending time with his beloved dog, Wilf.

For his family, happiness was found in doing things together — watching football, going on holiday, shopping and enjoying time at home.

Their tribute revealed the enormous space Luke had occupied in their everyday lives.

“Luke is our life, we miss him so bad,” they wrote.

“Our hearts will ache forever.”

JACKSON DUKE REMEMBERED BY HIS COMMUNITY

Jackson, 17, also died in the incident.

He and Luke were from the Sunderland area, while Zara was from Houghton-le-Spring in Tyne and Wear.

Friends, classmates and the wider community have been left grieving the loss of three young people whose futures were still unfolding.

Sunderland College also paid tribute to the teenagers, remembering their warmth, kindness and the positive impact they had on those around them.

Jackson played football for Hebburn Town Juniors and the club’s under-18s team. He was remembered as a polite, kind and funny young man whose presence lifted others.

For the people who knew him, he was far more than a name in a news report — he was a son, a friend, a teammate and a young person with a future ahead of him.

WHAT HAPPENED NEAR WEARMOUTH BRIDGE?

Police received reports shortly before 1:30 p.m. on September 29 that a black Audi A3 had left the road at Panns Bank and entered the River Wear.

A fourth teenager, aged 17, was also in the car. He reached safety and sustained injuries described by police as non-serious.

The teenager was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was subsequently released on bail pending further inquiries.

At the time of the reports, investigators were still working to establish the circumstances that led to the vehicle entering the river, including who was driving. Police said they did not believe another vehicle was involved.

Authorities urged people not to speculate about the incident while the investigation continued, noting the potential impact on the families.

THREE YOUNG LIVES, MEMORIES THAT REMAIN

The tributes to Zara, Luke and Jackson are different, each reflecting the personality and relationships of a teenager deeply loved by family and friends.

But they share one message: these were young people whose lives mattered far beyond the circumstances of their deaths.

Their families are now left holding memories of laughter, football, dance videos, family outings and ordinary moments that have become immeasurably precious.

As Sunderland mourns, those memories will continue to shape how the three teenagers are remembered.