Three teenagers die after a car crashes into the River Wear in Sunderland on Tuesday afternoon. Zara Shaw, 16, from Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, dies along with two friends—Jackson Duke, 17, and Luke Etheridge, 16—after the vehicle leaves a bridge and sinks into the water.
In statements and tributes reported by multiple outlets, Zara’s family describes her as a “beautiful girl” and highlights her “zest for life,” saying she made them proud and will be remembered for her personality, friendships and family relationships. Details vary slightly in wording across reports, but all outlets reflect the family’s grief and thanks to people who offered support.
Police say one other occupant, a 17-year-old boy, reaches safety with minor injuries. He is arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving and is later released on bail pending further inquiries, according to Metro and referenced by the reporting overall. The car is later recovered from the river, and floral tributes are seen near where the crash occurred, with the differing outlets focusing on the memorial aspects versus the incident timeline.
