River Wear - latest: Three teens dead after car plunges into water in Sunderland

River Wear - latest: Three teens dead after car plunges into water in Sunderland Three teenagers have tragically died after a car entered the water in the River Wear in Sunderland - a boy who survived has been arrested Three teenagers - two boys and a girl - have died after a car smashed through a barrier and plunged into a river. The vehicle careered out of control and entered the River Wear in Sunderland shortly before 1.30pm. Four people are understood to have been in the black Audi A3 at the time, with a 17-year-old boy managing to reach safety. He is currently in hospital with what have been described as non-serious injuries and has now been arrested in connection with the incident. Northumbria Police said the three bodies had all been recovered from the water. Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Area Commander for Sunderland, said: "This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened. "We will continue to support them in any way that we can and ask that their privacy is respected at this time. I want to thank all of our partners who supported the multi-agency search efforts." A huge search and rescue response included an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter, the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the North East Ambulance Service's full Hazardous Area Response Team. Pictures from the scene showed emergency services lining the riverbank, where a section of metal railing has been damaged. Key Events Images of the scene The incident sparked a huge emergency response in Sunderland - as you can see below. How to get in touch with police if you have information Northumbria Police have asked that anyone with information about the incident, particularly CCTV or dashcam footage, get in contact via social media, or using the live chat and report forms on the force website. Incident comes after cops' warning to young drivers Tuesday's tragedy comes a week after police chiefs warned that more than 23,000 people have been killed or seriously injured involving a driver aged 17 to 24 in the past five years. Analysis of figures from the Department of Transport between 2021 and 2025 show that the accidents included 7,500 crashes where the driver was in that age bracket, 4,000 who were passengers being driven by a young driver, and 11,600 other road users including pedestrians and people in other cars. Around a fifth of all road accidents that end with death or serious injury involve young drivers, defined as those aged 17 to 24. Families of dead teenagers have been informed, police say The search for the bodies of the teenagers in the water took multiple hours to complete, with rescue teams from the police, ambulance, the RNLI, the Coastguard and the fire and rescue service all involved. The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) dispatched two fire engines and a fire boat to assist with the rescue operation. The North East Ambulance service dispatched three emergency ambulances, a full hazardous area response team and air ambulance. The next of kin of the three teenagers who died have been informed and are being supported by officers, police have said. What happened earlier today? If you're just joining us, here is a summary of what happened in the north east earlier today. - Police are continuing to investigate after three teenagers were killed when their Audi A3 entered the River Wear in Sunderland. - A 17-year-old boy, who was also in the vehicle at the time of the crash on Tuesday afternoon, has been arrested and is still in police custody. - Northumbria Police received reports that a black Audi A3 had come off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and went into the river at around 1.30pm. - Four people were in the car at the time, the police have said. - Following a search, the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl were recovered from the water on Tuesday evening. Chief Supt Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, said on Tuesday night: “This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives. “Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened. “We will continue to support them in any way that we can and ask that their privacy is respected at this time." Police ask public not to speculate Police have reminded the public not to speculate about this incident because they have arrested a suspect, who is in hospital. Chief Supt Cowie said: "Our investigation is at a very early stage in establishing the circumstances surrounding what has happened. "We would ask members of the public not to speculate about the incident both on social media and in the community." 'I've lived here for three years, this is sad to see' A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, has said his neighbour called emergency services after witnessing the incident from his window. The 31-year-old said: "There were loads of ambulances here. We had helicopters here at one point. This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this around here. "I've lived here for three years, this is sad to see." North East mayor on 'absolutely devastating news' North East mayor Kim McGuinness has shared a message on the "absolutely devastating news" in Sunderland. River Wear is 'place of profound sorrow' Sunderland Catholic parish priest and Sunderland AFC chaplain, Marc Lyden Smith, has offered prayers for the dead and their family and friends. He said: "Tonight I’m afraid that the River Wear is a place of profound sorrow. Three young lives have been lost, and another young person is in hospital. "We can only imagine the anguish of their families and friends. I pray that God will hold those families close in their grief, and that the people of Sunderland will surround them with compassion rather than speculation. "May the three young people rest in the peace of Christ, and may all who loved them be given strength and consolation." Sunderland AFC's tribute after 'tragic incident' Sunderland AFC has paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the incident, describing this as a "deeply difficult time for our city". In a statement, the club said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic incident on the River Wear today. "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. "We also pay tribute to the emergency services and all those who have responded at the scene." Breakdown of emergency services involved in search A spokesperson for North East Ambulance Service said a number of resources were sent to the scene, including three ambulances, a clinical team leader, three officers, a full Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and an air ambulance. Crews from HM Coastguard, RNLI, the fire service and the police were also deployed. A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "We received a call to 999 at 1.23pm today (Tuesday 29 September 2026) to reports of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. "We transported one person to hospital by road for further treatment. "Sadly, despite the best efforts of all emergency services in attendance, three teenagers died at the scene. "We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event and thank everyone whose dedication, compassion and support helped those involved during such difficult circumstances." River Wear scene in pictures A massive search and rescue operation as launched to find the three teenagers. Witnesses asked to contact the police Police continue to ask members of the public to avoid the area and not to livestream or share images from the scene on the River Wear. Anyone with information, particularly those with CCTV or dashcam footage, should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use live chat and report forms on the force’s website. Those who are unable to make contact in these ways can call 101, quoting reference number NP-20260929-0589. Investigation into 'truly tragic' incident at 'very early stage' Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, said the investigation into today's incident on the River Wear in Sunderland is at a "very early stage". No other vehicles are believed to have been involved, he said. Chief Supt Cowie said: "This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives. "Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened. We will continue to support them in any way that we can and ask that their privacy is respected at this time. "I want to thank all of our partners who supported the multi-agency search efforts. Our investigation is at a very early stage in establishing the circumstances surrounding what has happened. "We would ask members of the public not to speculate about the incident both on social media and in the community. "In doing so, please be mindful of the potential impact such commentary could have on the families of those involved in this incident." Suspect, 17, in hospital after the crash Three teenagers have tragically died after a car entered the water in the River Wear in Sunderland. Shortly before 1.30pm today (Tuesday), police received a number of reports from the public of a black Audi A3 car coming off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and entering the water. Four people are understood to have been in the car at the time, with a 17-year-old boy managing to reach safety. He is currently in hospital with what have been described as non-serious injuries and has been arrested. Sadly, the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl have been recovered from the water. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. Three dead as teenage boy arrested Three teenagers, two boys and a girl, have died and one 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with this incident. Council deputy leader's support Sunderland City Council deputy leader, Andrew Ramsey, has also expressed his support for those affected by the incident involving a car going into the River Wear. He said: "My thoughts are with those affect by today’s events down by the River Wear, and with their families and loved ones. "My thanks also go to the emergency services and incident responders, at what will be an incredibly difficult time." Everything we know so far as search and rescue operation still ongoing - Northumbria Police received a report of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland shortly before 1.30pm today. It is understood only the driver of the vehicle managed to escape. - A major search and rescue operation is now ongoing for the passengers of the car - believed to be three teenagers. This includes an air ambulance, the fire service, the police and RNLI. - The car allegedly careered out of control and entered the river. The driver reportedly managed to jump out as the car entered the water and was rescued by a passerby. - North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said "we must hope and pray for those involved". People have been asked to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing. Sunderland council leader says his thoughts are with everyone involved in 'unfortunate incident' Cllr Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, has said in a social media post: "My thoughts are with everyone involved in the unfortunate incident at the Quayside this afternoon. "I would like to thank our emergency services, who are currently dealing with the ongoing situation. I am being kept regularly updated by the relevant authorities and will continue to monitor developments closely." Sunderland MP says his 'thoughts are with everyone involved and their families' Lewis Atkinson, MP for Sunderland Central, has said he is "aware of the serious incident in the River Wear" this afternoon. "My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families, and with the emergency services responding at the scene," he said in a social media post. Searches continuing on River Wear Searches are continuing on the River Wear after a car entered the water shortly before 1.30pm today. Police have not yet confirmed whether anyone was in the car. We are awaiting further updates. Coastguard confirms search and rescue helicopter and RNLI lifeboats deployed A spokesperson for HM Coastguard has confirmed it responded to reports of a vehicle in the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. It added: "Coastguard Rescue Teams from Sunderland and Seaham were sent, as well as an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter, RNLI lifeboats from Sunderland and Cullercoats, North East Ambulance Service and Northumbria Police. The incident is ongoing." Three teenagers feared to be in car that entered River Wear The Mirror's Jeremy Armstrong is reporting from the scene. Three teenagers are feared to be in a car that entered the River Wear in Sunderland today. It is understood that four people were in the vehicle when it careered out of control and entered the river. The driver reportedly managed to jump out as the car entered the water and was rescued by a passerby. One local resident wrote online: "The driver got out. My stepdad helped him out of the water. But there were three in the car. They have been in the water for over two hours now." Video shows RNLI lifeboats on River Wear North East mayor 'aware' of 'serious incident' on River Wear North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has said she is "aware of the serious incident" on the River Wear today. She said in a social media post: "Rescue teams are at the scene and right now we must hope and pray for those involved." Map shows location of Wearmouth Bridge A map shows the location of Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland, near where a car entered the River Wear earlier this afternoon. Pictures from the scene show a section of metal railing along the riverbank has been damaged. Pictures from the scene Fire service confirms crews are assisting with rescue efforts A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said: "We can confirm that earlier this afternoon (Tuesday 29 September), two fire appliances, the TWFRS fire boat and a number of officers were dispatched to an ongoing incident on the River Wear, near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. "Our dedicated teams are assisting blue light colleagues with the ongoing rescue efforts." Great North Air Ambulance Service confirms helicopter deployed A spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said: "Our critical care team was activated at 1.35pm to an incident on the River Wear, near Monkwearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. "We had a doctor and paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 1.53pm." Monkwearmouth Bridge is adjacent to Wearmouth Bridge. Air ambulance sent to scene, North East Ambulance Service says In a statement, a spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: "We received a call to 999 at 1.23pm today (Tuesday 29 September 2026) to reports of an incident involving a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. "We sent to the scene an emergency ambulance, a clinical team leader, three officers, air ambulance and the full Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). "We are working closely with the coastguard and the police, and we remain on scene at this time."