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

Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both 16, were in a black Audi A3 that came off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland, and plunged into the water just before 13:30 BST on Tuesday.

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

Northumbria Police said there were four people inside the car at the time and a 17-year-old boy, who managed to reach safety, had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

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.

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

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

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

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