Three teenagers have died after a car plunged into the River Wear in Sunderland sparking a major rescue operation.
The bodies of the three youngsters, two teenage boys and a teenage girl, have been recovered from the water, Northumbria Police said.
A fourth teen, a 17-year-old boy who managed to swim to safety, has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.
Emergency services were called after the car, an Audi A3, came off the road at Panns Bank on the southern side of the river, near Wearmouth Bridge, and entered the water.
Four teenagers were inside at the time, police believe.
The bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl have been recovered from the water. Their next of kin have been informed.
The teenager who swam to safety is in hospital with non-serious injuries.
An investigation is underway but no other vehicles are believed to have been involved.
(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Witnesses described seeing large numbers of emergency vehicles on both sides of the river, while RNLI lifeboats searched the water.
A coastguard helicopter and air ambulance were also involved in the operation.
One witness told reporters it was "one of the biggest emergency responses I have seen".
(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
HM Coastguard confirmed rescue teams from Sunderland and Seaham had been deployed alongside RNLI crews from Sunderland and Cullercoats and a search and rescue helicopter.
A spokesperson said: "At around 1.25pm this afternoon, HM Coastguard responded to reports of a vehicle in the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland."
(Image: TAYLOR BOOTHBY)
Read more
LIVE - Major 999 response after car 'enters River Wear' as people urged to avoid area
Everything we know so far about huge 999 response after car 'enters River Wear'
'Our hearts are broken' - Family honour grandad killed in County Durham crash
Chief Supt Scott Cowie, the force's Area Commander for Sunderland, said: "This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives.
"Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened. We will continue to support them in any way that we can and ask that their privacy is respected at this time.
"I want to thank all of our partners who supported the multi-agency search efforts. Our investigation is at a very early stage in establishing the circumstances surrounding what has happened.
"We would 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 North East Ambulance Service also dispatched significant resources, including the entirety of its specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), which is trained to work in high-risk environments.
A spokesperson said: "We received a call to 999 at 1.23pm today to reports of an incident involving a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
"We sent to the scene an emergency ambulance, a clinical team leader, three officers, air ambulance and the full HART.
A spokesperson added: "We transported one person to hospital by road for further treatment.
"Sadly, despite the best efforts of all emergency services in attendance, three teenagers died at the scene. We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic event and thank everyone whose dedication, compassion and support helped those involved during such difficult circumstances."
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."
Sunderland AFC also said: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic incident on the River Wear today. 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."
Police are asking people to avoid the area, as well as requesting that nobody livestreams or shares images from the scene. The force is also appealing for information, as enquiries into the incident continue.
Those who may know something which could assist with the investigation, especially if they have CCTV or dashcam footage, have been asked to send police a direct message on social media, or to use the live chat and report forms on the website here.
Anyone with information, particularly those with CCTV or dashcam footage, should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use live chat and report forms on the Force’s website.
Those who are unable to make contact with police in those ways are asked to call 101, quoting the following reference number: NP-20260929-0589.