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Three Sunderland College students named after car enters River Wear

Three teenagers from Sunderland College have been named after dying in a car crash. Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge, 16, and Zara Shaw, 16, were in a black Audi A3 that entered the River Wear on Tuesday. A 17-year-old survivor has been arrested.

By The UK Pulse Editorial Team··4 min read·How we work
Police officers and divers - wearing black uniform - stand in a rubber dinghy RIB over the River Wear. There is a diver in the water who has been linked to the boat via a bright yellow safety line. They are searching that.

Three teenagers from Sunderland College have been named after they died when a black Audi A3 plunged into the River Wear on Tuesday. Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge, 16, and Zara Shaw, 16, were among four occupants in the vehicle when it left the roadway at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and entered the water shortly before 13:30 BST. A 17-year-old boy who survived the incident has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

At least a dozen emergency service workers on the river bank in Sunderland, with a water rescue unit van in the foreground. There is temporary fencing around the area. Many of the emergency staff are wearing yellow high-viz jackets and helmets.
Three teenagers died after a car went into the River Wear

Northumbria Police confirmed that the three victims attended Sunderland College's Bede Campus. The 17-year-old survivor managed to reach safety and was initially treated in hospital before being released into police custody. Enquiries were continuing to establish who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Sunderland College issued a statement expressing profound grief over the loss.

This is a heartbreaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland,
the institution said.
Everyone at Sunderland College extends our heartfelt thoughts and deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

How did emergency services respond?

Multiple emergency services mobilised rapidly to the scene following reports of the vehicle entering the water. According to emergency service records, North East Ambulance Service received the call at 13:23 and deployed three ambulances, a clinical team leader, three officers, its full Hazardous Area Response Team and the air ambulance to the location. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and RNLI teams also assisted with rescue operations. One person was transported to hospital following the incident.

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A woman in a blue HM Coastguard Search and Rescue suit walks away from a police car and towards the river bank, where other emergency vehicles are parked. The woman has blond hair in a ponytail and wears a blue helmet.
A large number of emergency services attended the scene in Sunderland

Northumbria Police stated it had received

a number of reports from the public
regarding the vehicle leaving the road, and circumstances surrounding the crash remained under investigation. The black Audi A3 was recovered from the water on Wednesday morning, and police confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

What have authorities said about the tragedy?

Northumbria Police's Sunderland area commander Ch Supt Scott Cowie characterised the event as

a truly tragic incident
and acknowledged the broader impact on the community.
We also recognise the impact this tragedy will have on the wider community, and know that everyone will come together to support one another,
he stated. Cowie appealed to the public to refrain from speculation about the circumstances on social media and in the community.

The River Wear in Sunderland with low water and brown, muddy banks, has a collection of emergency vehicles on the nearer quayside. There are marked police vans and a large, yellow recovery vehicle with a blue crane arm. Hanging from the crane arm is an upside down black Audi A3.
The empty black Audi A3 was recovered from the water on Wednesday

Sunderland AFC released a statement on social media acknowledging the loss.

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.
We also pay tribute to the emergency services and all those who have responded at the scene.

Reform councillor for Washington North Paul Donaghy described the incident as a

painful time for our city
, while Labour MP for Sunderland Central Lewis Atkinson expressed his condolences to those affected and commended the emergency response.

Around three emergency service workers walk on the river bank in Sunderland. There is temporary fencing around the area. Many of the emergency staff are wearing yellow high-viz jackets. There is a white van with 'welfare support' written on the side and two other police cars parked on the quayside.
A police presence remains at the scene on Wednesday

What is the investigation status?

According to police updates, enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remained ongoing as of 30 September. Northumbria Police is appealing for anyone with CCTV footage, dashcam recordings or information about the incident to come forward. The force has asked members of the public to continue avoiding the area and requested that people refrain from livestreaming or sharing images from the scene.

Key Facts

  • Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge, 16, and Zara Shaw, 16, died after a black Audi A3 entered the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge on Tuesday at approximately 13:30 BST
  • All three victims attended Sunderland College's Bede Campus
  • A 17-year-old survivor was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody
  • Multiple emergency services including ambulances, fire and rescue teams, and the RNLI responded to the incident
  • The vehicle was recovered from the water on Wednesday; no other vehicles were involved
  • Police investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash are continuing

This article was sourced from bbc

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