Three teenagers dead and boy, 17, arrested after car plunges into River Wear

A major emergency services operation is under way after a car plunged into Sunderland’s River Wear.

Rescue teams have been searching the water near Wearmouth Bridge after the car went into the river on Tuesday afternoon.

Police, ambulance crews, the RNLI and Coastguard were on the scene.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have dispatched two fire engines and a fire boat to assist with the rescue operation.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 1.30pm today, we received a report of a car entering the River Wear near Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.

“Emergency services are currently at the scene.

“We would ask members of the public to avoid the area.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “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.”

A TWFRS spokesperson 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.”

The RNLI have confirmed that crews from Cullercoats and Sunderland are in attendance.