Three teenagers have died after a car broke through a barrier and plunged into the River Wear in Sunderland.
Emergency crews were dispatched to Panns Bank, close to Wearmouth Bridge, at about 1.30pm following reports that a vehicle had entered the water.
Four teenagers were believed to have been travelling in the black Audi A3. The 17-year-old driver managed to escape from the car and reach safety.
Rescuers later recovered the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl from the river.
The driver was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries described as non-serious. He has since been arrested.
Police said they do not believe any other vehicles were involved.
Chief Superintendent Scott Cowie, Sunderland’s area commander, said: “This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives.
“Our thoughts are with their families, friends and everyone affected by what has happened.
Emergency services were called to the River Wear in Sunderland, near Wearmouth Bridge, at around 1.30pm
A lifeboat was photographed at the scene alongside a line of police vehicles during the major emergency response
A water rescue unit was deployed as members of the public were urged to stay away from the area
“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 operation.”
He added: “Our investigation is at a very early stage as we work to establish the circumstances surrounding what happened.
“We would ask members of the public not to speculate about the incident, either on social media or within the community. Please be mindful of the potential impact such comments could have on the families involved.”
Police officers, firefighters and paramedics cordoned off a car park after the vehicle crashed through a barrier and entered the river.
Images from the scene showed ambulances, police cars and a fire engine positioned along the riverbank, while two rescue boats were operating in the water.
Coastguard and RNLI teams used poles to search beneath the surface, with a helicopter also taking part in the operation.
Dozens of distressed onlookers gathered on both sides of the River Wear as the emergency response continued.
A nearby resident, who asked not to be identified, said his neighbour contacted emergency services after seeing the incident from a window.
Mayor of North East England, Kim McGuinness previously said rescue teams were on the scene and ‘we must hope and pray for those involved’
An RNLI lifeboat is pictured at the scene. The coastguard and RNLI were seen using poles to probe the water
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The 31-year-old said: ‘There were loads of ambulances here, we had helicopters here at one point.
‘This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this around here.
‘I’ve lived here for three years, this is sad to see.
‘Some families may get some awful, awful news today.’
Another man, who did not wish to be named, reported hearing a ‘bang’ and a sound ‘like a very large rock hitting water’, followed shortly by sirens.
Posting on social media, the Mayor of North East England, Kim McGuinness, said earlier today: ‘I’m aware of the serious incident on the River Wear today after a car entered the water in Sunderland.
‘Rescue teams are at the scene and right now we must hope and pray for those involved.
‘I’ve asked the incident commander to keep me updated as we let the emergency services do their work.’
Northumbria Police said: ‘Shortly before 1.30pm today, we received a report of a car entering the River Wear near Monkwearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
‘We would ask members of the public to avoid the area.’
The North East Ambulance Service 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 Hazardous Area Response Team.
‘We are working closely with the coastguard and the police. We remain on scene at this time.’
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service previously said: ‘We can confirm that earlier this afternoon, two fire appliances, the TWFRS fire boat and a number of officers were dispatched to an ongoing incident on the River Wear, near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
‘Our dedicated teams are assisting blue light colleagues with the ongoing rescue efforts.’
Great North Air Ambulance Service added: ‘Our critical care team was activated at 1.35pm to an incident on the River Wear, near Monkwearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.
‘We had a doctor and paramedic on board our aircraft and they arrived on scene at 1.53pm.’
The next of kin of the three teenagers who died have been informed and are being supported by officers, police said.
Anyone with information, in particular CCTV or dashcam footage, has been asked to send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use live chat and report forms on the force’s website.
Alternatively, 101 can be dialled quoting reference number: NP-20260929-0589.
Were you at the scene? Email Noor.Qurashi@dailymail.co.uk