Three teenagers have died after a car carrying four people plunged into the River Wear in Sunderland, United Kingdom.
Northumbria Police said the black Audi A3 left the road at Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge, shortly before 1:30pm BST and entered the river.
Four people were inside the vehicle when it went into the water.
A 17-year-old boy managed to escape and was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries.
The teenager was later arrested in connection with the incident, while the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl were recovered from the river.
Police said no other vehicles were believed to have been involved in the incident.
Ch Supt Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, described the incident as “a truly tragic incident”.
“Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened,” he said.
Cowie added that the investigation was still at an early stage as officers worked to establish how the incident happened.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, North East Ambulance Service and RNLI teams were among the emergency responders who took part in the rescue operation.
Members of the public were also advised to stay away from the area while emergency services continued their work.
Sunderland AFC said in a social media statement, “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.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said she had asked the incident commander to keep her informed about the situation.
Meanwhile, Sunderland Central Labour MP, Lewis Atkinson, said on X, “My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families, and with the emergency services responding to the scene.”
