Three teenagers have died after a car entered the River Wear.

Northumbria Police said just before 13:30 BST a black Audi A3 came off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge, in Sunderland, and entered the water.

Four people were in the car at the time and a 17-year-old boy managed to reach safety. He is currently in hospital with non-serious injuries, and has subsequently been arrested in connection with the incident, the force said.

The bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl have been recovered from the water.

No other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

Ch Supt Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, said it was “a truly tragic incident”.

“Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened,” he said.

He added the investigation was at an early stage and the force was working to establish the circumstances.

Members of the public have been asked to continue to avoid the area.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the North East Ambulance Service and RNLI teams were in attendance earlier helping with the rescue efforts.

North East mayor, Kim McGuinness, said she was aware of the incident and had asked the incident commander to keep her updated.

Meanwhile Labour MP for Sunderland Central, Lewis Atkinson, said on X: “My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families, and with the emergency services responding to the scene.”

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