Teenager released on bail after three die in River Wear crash
A 17-year-old boy arrested after a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland has been released on bail while inquiries continue. Three teenagers—Luke Etheridge, Zara Shaw and Jackson Duke—died in the crash. Police say no other vehicles are believed to have been involved and are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
A 17-year-old boy arrested after three teenagers died when a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland has been released on bail, Northumbria Police said. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He had managed to reach safety after the crash and suffered non-serious injuries.
Police said he remains on bail pending further inquiries. Sixteen-year-olds Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw and 17-year-old Jackson Duke died after an Audi A3 left the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and entered the river shortly before 13:30 BST on Tuesday. Northumbria Police said on Wednesday that no other vehicles were believed to have been involved.
The empty black Audi was recovered from the water on Wednesday as officers continued to investigate how the vehicle entered the river. Ch Supt Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, said the previous 24 hours had brought “unimaginable agony and heartbreak” to the families of the three teenagers. He said the victims had their futures ahead of them and would be greatly missed, and acknowledged the impact of the tragedy on Sunderland and beyond.
Sunderland College said it was deeply saddened because all three teenagers were among its students. The college described the deaths as a heartbreaking loss for its community and the wider city. Police have not announced further details about the investigation beyond confirming the boy’s release on bail.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.