THREE TEENAGERS NAMED AFTER BLACK AUDI PLUNGES INTO RIVER WEAR IN SUNDERLAND

Three teenagers who tragically died after a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland have been named by police.

Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both 16, were travelling in a black Audi A3 when it came off the road at Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge, shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29.

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

Their next of kin are being supported by specially trained officers.

THREE LIVES LOST

Emergency services were called after members of the public reported seeing the black Audi leave the road and enter the River Wear.

A major rescue operation was launched involving police, ambulance crews, HM Coastguard, RNLI and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Three people were eventually recovered from the water and were pronounced dead.

Another 17-year-old boy who had been in the vehicle managed to reach safety. He suffered non-serious injuries and was taken for medical treatment.

He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.

Police have stressed that the investigation is still at an early stage and officers are continuing to establish exactly what happened.

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

Importantly, detectives are still working to establish who was driving the Audi when it entered the river.

HEARTBREAK IN SUNDERLAND

The deaths have sent shockwaves through the local community.

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

A college spokesperson said the community was “deeply saddened” by the deaths and described the incident as a heartbreaking loss for the college and the wider city of Sunderland.

Friends and fellow students have since gathered near the River Wear to leave flowers, cards and messages of remembrance.

A white heart-shaped balloon was among the tributes left for Zara, carrying messages from fellow students saying she would be missed.

Flowers and cards have also been placed near the riverside in memory of Jackson and Luke.

Sunderland AFC also expressed its condolences to the families and friends of those who died, while paying tribute to the emergency services who responded to the tragedy.

FAMILY SPEAKS AFTER JACKSON’S DEATH

Jackson’s mother, Leanne Cruickshanks, shared an emotional message following the tragedy.

She said she was “absolutely devastated” by the death of her son and asked people to stop speculating about what happened while she and her family grieve.

Her appeal came as police urged the public not to spread speculation about the circumstances of the crash.

Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Area Commander for Sunderland, said the previous 24 hours had brought “unimaginable agony and heartbreak” for the families of Luke, Jackson and Zara.

He said all three teenagers had their whole futures ahead of them and would be hugely missed.

He also asked people to respect the families’ privacy.

THE CAR RECOVERED FROM THE RIVER

On Wednesday, September 30, the black Audi A3 was recovered from the River Wear as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Police divers attached equipment to the vehicle before it was lifted from the water by crane.

The recovery formed part of the continuing investigation into how the car came off the road and entered the river.

A teenage witness told The Times that she had seen the car stop near the barriers shortly before it suddenly moved forward and went into the river.

However, police have not confirmed this account as the cause of the crash.

Detectives are continuing to establish what happened immediately before the vehicle entered the water and who was behind the wheel.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

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

An arrest is an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Police have not said that he was definitely driving the car, and inquiries to determine the driver’s identity remain ongoing.

Northumbria Police have urged members of the public not to speculate about the incident on social media or in the community, warning that such comments could have a serious impact on the grieving families.

For now, the focus remains on Jackson, Luke and Zara — three teenagers whose lives ended in a tragedy that has left their families, friends, classmates and the wider Sunderland community grieving.

Their loved ones are now facing the devastating task of saying goodbye while investigators continue searching for answers about what happened that afternoon beside the River Wear.