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Teens who died in car that entered river named

Evie LakeNorth East and Cumbria
News imageHandout A composite image of the three teenagers. Luke Etheridge is on the left and is looking into the camera with a straight face. He has dark, short hair which is longer on the top compared to the sides. He is wearing a blue t-shirt and lighter blue lanyard. Zara Shaw is in the middle smiling into the camera with her chin resting on her clasped hands. She has long brown hair and is wearing a black vest with a pearl bracelet on her wrist. Jackson Duke is on the right and has light brown short hair. He is smiling to the side. He is wearing a black suit jacket and beige shirt and tie.Handout
Luke Etheridge, Zara Shaw and Jackson Duke (left to right) died when the car entered the River Wear

Two teenage boys and a teenage girl who died when a car they were in ended up in the River Wear have been named by police.

Northumbria Police said a black Audi A3 came off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, and went in the water just before 13:30 BST on Tuesday. Four people were in the car at the time.

The three who died have been named as Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both 16.

A 17-year-old boy who managed to reach safety has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, the force said.

The force said the investigation into the circumstances leading up to the car entering the water, including who was driving, were ongoing.

Jackson and Luke were from Sunderland, while Zara was from Houghton-le-Spring, a town about seven miles (11km) from the city.

News imagePA 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. PA
Police divers remain at the scene as investigations continue

Ch Supt Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, said: "The last 24 hours have brought unimaginable agony and heartbreak for the loved ones of Luke, Jackson and Zara.

"All three had their whole futures ahead of them and will be hugely missed.

"We also recognise the impact that this tragedy has had upon the people of Sunderland and further afield, and know that you will continue to be there for one another."

Earlier, a spokesperson for Sunderland College said they were "deeply saddened" by the deaths of three of their students and offered condolences to their families and friends.

"This is a heartbreaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland," a statement published on Facebook said.

News imageBBC/Eve Connor 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.BBC/Eve Connor
The empty black Audi A3 was recovered from the water on Wednesday

Cowie asked the public not to speculate on the circumstances.

"In doing so, please be mindful of the potential impact such commentary could have on the families of those involved in this incident," he said.

The force has asked anyone with information to get in touch.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the North East Ambulance Service and RNLI teams assisted with the rescue efforts on Tuesday.

The car was recovered from the water earlier on Wednesday and no other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

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