Boy arrested after river deaths released on bail

Bouquets and a balloon are tied to the railings at the River Wear in the Panns Bank area, where the incident happened. The green arched Wearmouth Bridge is visible in the background.

The car came off off the road at Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge on Tuesday

A 17-year-old boy who was arrested after three teenagers died when a car entered the River Wear in Sunderland has been released on bail.

Sixteen-year-olds Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw and 17-year-old Jackson Duke died after an Audi A3 came off the road at Panns Bank, near Wearmouth Bridge, and entered the river just before 13:30 BST on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Northumbria Police has now confirmed he has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

The teenager had managed to reach safety and suffered non-serious injuries.

The investigation into the circumstances leading to the car entering the water continues.

Northumbria Police said on Wednesday no other vehicles were believed to have been involved.

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 they were in entered the River Wear

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."

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

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Sunderland College said they were "deeply saddened" by the deaths of three of their students.

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

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