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 showe emergency services lining the riverbank, where a section of metal railing has been damaged. Key Events 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." Car enters River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge A Northumbria Police spokesperson has said: "Shortly before 1.30pm today (Tuesday), we received a report of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland. "Emergency services are currently at the scene. We would ask members of the public to avoid the area." There is a large emergency services presence at the scene, with boats pictured working on the water. We will bring you more information as soon as we have it.