Three teenagers have died after a car left the road and entered the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
A black Audi A3 carrying four people went into the water just before 1:30pm on Tuesday. The bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl were later recovered from the river.
A 17-year-old boy swam to safety and was taken to hospital for treatment. He has since been released and arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The tragedy has since drawn statements from Northumbria Police, Sunderland College, and Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC’s charity.
Official Responses From Police and Local Organisations
Sunderland College confirmed on Wednesday that three of its students from the Bede Campus were among those who died.
A spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to hear three students from our Bede Campus tragically lost their lives yesterday afternoon.”
“This is a heart-breaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland.”
Its statement continued: “Everyone at Sunderland College extends our heartfelt thoughts and deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
“We also pay tribute to the emergency services and all those who responded at the scene.
“Support is available to any students or our colleagues who may be affected by this tragedy and ask that the privacy of the families of those involved is respected. We are working alongside the police.”
A Foundation of Light spokesperson confirmed that a young person who had taken part in one of the charity’s football programmes was among those who lost their life. “We are saddened to learn that a young person who took part in one of our football programmes lost their life on Tuesday afternoon.
“Everyone at Foundation of Light sends their condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of all three young people who passed away. Support is available to our participants and colleagues affected by this news.”
Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Northumbria Police’s Area Commander for Sunderland, echoed those sentiments.
“Our thoughts very much continue to be with the loved ones of those who have tragically lost their lives.”
“We will support them in any way that we can at this devastating time and ask that their privacy is respected.”
Community Support and Impact Following Wearmouth Tragedy
The Foundation of Light River Wear statement makes clear the charity will not discuss the circumstances of the crash while the police investigation continues.
“We ask that the privacy of the families of those involved is respected. While the police investigation is ongoing, we will not be commenting on the circumstances of the incident, and any enquiries relating to the incident should be directed to the police,” the spokesperson said.
Chief Supt Cowie said the loss would be felt well beyond the families directly involved. “We also recognise the impact this tragedy will have on the wider community, and know that everyone will come together to support one another,” he said.
Sunderland College has said support is in place for any student or member of staff affected, and the Foundation of Light has offered the same to its participants and colleagues.
The club’s charity has a long history of working with young people across Wearside, something touched on in our earlier report on the club’s community ties.
Both the college and the Foundation have asked that the privacy of the grieving families be respected as tributes continue to come in.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Timeline
The Audi was recovered from the river on Wednesday. Northumbria Police said no other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the incident.
Chief Supt Cowie confirmed the inquiry is not yet finished. “The investigation into the circumstances leading to the car entering the water remains ongoing,” he said.
He also asked the public to avoid speculating about what happened before the car entered the water. “We would continue to 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.”
The full statements from Sunderland College, the Foundation of Light and Northumbria Police were first reported by Chronicle Live.
