The cause of death for two teenagers who died with one other when a car went into the River Wear was “consistent with drowning”, an inquest was told.
Jackson Duke, 17, died along with Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both aged 16, when an Audi A3 plunged into the river in Sunderland city centre on September 29.
An inquest opening hearing was held for Jackson, followed by one for Luke at Sunderland City Hall.
A hearing was scheduled to take place later on Monday for Zara.
Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both aged 16, were all in the car at that time.
Sunderland senior coroner David Place extended his condolences to Jackson’s parents who attended the seven-minute hearing.
Mr Place said it was “a tragic loss for the whole of the city”.
Coroner’s officer Vicky Ross outlined the background to the incident and said Northumbria Police were called to the Panns Bank area of Sunderland on the afternoon of September 29 following reports that four people in the car had gone into the Wear.
She said one of the occupants had “self-extricated”, but the other three “tragically could not” and were located later by divers, still in the Audi.
Scene of the incident
Ms Ross said: “The circumstances surrounding the incident are subject to an ongoing investigation by Northumbria Police.”
Mr Place said the provisional cause of death indicated by the post-mortem examination was “likely to be consistent with drowning”.
The cause of death for Luke was the same, it was said at a separate hearing attended by family members.
The coroner adjourned both hearings until January 21 next year.
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At Sunderland’s Premier League match against Brighton, fans and players paid tribute to the teenagers who studied at Sunderland College.
Before the game, players stood around the centre circle while fans applauded.
Sunderland players also wore black armbands during the match.