Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inTom WilkinsonWednesday 30 September 2026 16:05 BSTPolice divers at the scene on the River Wear in Sunderland (Owen Humphreys/PA)Three teenagers, who were students at Sunderland College's Bede Campus, tragically died after an Audi A3 plunged into the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon.A 17-year-old boy managed to escape the car and reach safety, but he was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving as police work to establish who was driving at the time.Sunderland College described the deaths as a heartbreaking loss for the college community and the city, offering condolences to the victims' families and providing support for affected students and staff.Emergency services conducted a complex recovery operation on Wednesday, using divers and a crane to lift the damaged, overturned vehicle out of the water at Panns Bank during low tide.Northumbria Police have urged the public not to speculate on social media regarding the incident, which occurred amidst recent warnings that young drivers aged 17 to 24 are involved in a fifth of all fatal or serious road accidents in the UK.In fullCollege pays tribute to three students who died in car river plungeMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in