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Three teenagers dead after car entered River Wear in Sunderland - as 17-year-old arrested

Police and rescue crews are searching the river after the driver escaped and three teenagers were feared to be inside the car, officials said.

  • On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, emergency services launched a major rescue operation after a car plunged into the River Wear near Monkwearmouth Bridge in Sunderland shortly before 1:30pm.
  • Witnesses reported the driver escaped and was assisted by a passer-by, though crews continue searching the river amid fears three teenagers remain inside the submerged vehicle.
  • Coordinating the rescue, Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, and RNLI lifeboats are working alongside a Great North Air Ambulance critical care team that arrived at 1:53pm.
  • North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she is "aware of the serious incident" as authorities established a police cordon and urged the public to avoid the area near Wearmouth Bridge.
  • Search operations remain focused on the River Wear, with teams navigating challenging visibility conditions to locate the missing individuals as rescue efforts continue throughout the afternoon.
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Teenager arrested after three youngsters killed when car entered the River Wear

A 17-year-old boy managed to reach safety and has now been arrested in connection with the incident.

·London, United Kingdom
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Sunderland Echo broke the news in Sunderland, United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
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