(Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)
The cause of death for three teenagers who died when a car went into the River Wear was “consistent with drowning”, a coroner said.
Jackson Duke, 17, Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both aged 16, died when an Audi A3 plunged into the river in Sunderland city centre on September 29.
Sunderland Senior Coroner David Place extended his condolences to Jackson’s parents who attended the first hearing, which lasted seven minutes.
Mr Place said it was “a tragic loss for the whole of the city”.
Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both aged 16, were all in the car at that time.
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.”
In all three cases, Mr Place said the provisional cause of death indicated by the post-mortem examination was “consistent with drowning”.
Scene of the incident
The coroner adjourned the hearings until January 21 next year.
Jackson and Luke were from Sunderland while Zara lived in Houghton-le-Spring.
The coroner extended his condolences to Luke’s family members who were at the hearing.
Zara’s parents did not attend the inquest and Mr Place said he offered them his condolences through his coroner’s officer.
Scene of the incident
A 17-year-old boy, who managed to reach safety, has been released on bail pending further inquiries after being arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Read more
Teenager who died with two others in River Wear car plunge drowned, inquest told
Teenagers who died in River Wear car plunge drowned, inquest hears
Minute's applause at Sunderland game for teens killed in River Wear crash tragedy
Before the game, players stood around the centre circle while fans applauded.
Sunderland players also wore black armbands during the match.