Family of ‘beautiful’ girl, 16, killed alongside two teen boys when car plunged into River Wear ‘say ‘you had a zest for life’ in moving tribute
Three teenagers died on Tuesday when a black Audi A3 they were travelling in plunged into the River Wear in Sunderland. Zara Shaw, 16, Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge, 16, were recovered from the water, whilst a fourth passenger aged 17 survived with minor injuries. The incident has deeply affected the local community, with heartfelt tributes released by the teenagers' families and schools.
The car entered the water at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge at approximately 1.30pm on Tuesday. A 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, though Northumbria Police confirmed investigations to establish who was driving remain ongoing. Emergency services including police, fire, the Coastguard and RNLI coordinated a search and rescue operation that recovered the vehicle within 24 hours.
- Three teenagers killed in River Wear car crash in Sunderland
- Fourth passenger, aged 17, survived with minor injuries
- Driver identity still being established; one youth arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving
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Three teenagers died on Tuesday when a car they were travelling in plunged into the River Wear near Sunderland. The black Audi A3 entered the water near Wearmouth Bridge at around 1.30pm, and a fourth passenger aged 17 survived with minor injuries. Emergency services coordinated a search and rescue operation that recovered the vehicle within 24 hours.
The three who died were Zara Shaw, 16, Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge, 16. Their deaths have deeply affected their families, schools and the local community. A 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, whilst investigations to establish who was driving remain ongoing.