Teen who escaped river crash that killed his three pals screamed ‘help’ as car vanished after ‘flying through barrier’

A CAR plunged into a river killing three teenagers just moments after the driver got behind the wheel, an eyewitness revealed today.

One occupant – a 17-year-old boy – managed to escape from the Audi A3 after it crashed into the River Wear in Sunderland yesterday afternoon and clamber out of the water.

But three other teens – two boys and a girl – were unable to get out and tragically drowned.

A teenage girl has now told of the horrifying moment she saw the car crash through the metal barrier near the Wearmouth Bridge.

She revealed that moments earlier the driver and a passenger had an exchange outside of the vehicle and it appeared the passenger then got behind the wheel.

The witness, who called 999, said: “The car came down into the car park and it parked up in a bay in front of the barriers. There was nothing unusual in the way it was driving.

“The driver and a passenger got out and had a quick chat.

“I don’t know for sure, but when they got back into the car, I think they might have swapped positions, so the passenger was driving.

“All of a sudden, the car just flew through the barrier.

“It was as if the driver had tried to reverse and put the car in first gear by accident.

“It may have been an accident.

“We heard this crash and saw the car go through the barrier and then the screeching noise of the bottom of the car scraping against the side of the river wall.

“I phoned 999 and by that time the boy had got out.

“He had gone under as if he was looking for the car but then came straight back up.

“He then swam around to the other side of the car and was screaming ‘help’.

“He swam to a ladder and climbed out.

“An onlooker grabbed a life ring and ran to the edge of the water, as though he was waiting for someone to come back up, but no-one did.

“I was so shocked by the whole thing, I was trying to rattle everything off to the police.

“All the emergency services arrived so quickly, fire engines, ambulances, and the boy who got out was over on the concrete.

“People on social media have been saying they were doing donuts but they weren’t.”

There are circular skid marks in the car park suggesting other drivers use it for doing the stunts but there is no suggestion the Audi was being driven inappropriately at any stage.

A crane was yesterday brought in to help recover the car from the water.

Chief Supt Scott Cowie, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is a truly tragic incident where three people have lost their lives.

“Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those who have been impacted by what has happened.”

A huge rescue operation was launched around 1.30pm on Tuesday with police, fire crews, paramedics and the RNLI inshore lifeboat racing to the scene.

A coastguard helicopter and the air ambulance were also deployed.

The bodies of the three teens were later recovered from the water.

The teen boy who managed to escape the vehicle was brought to hospital for treatment but was released and is currently in police custody.

He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Police say enquiries remain ongoing to establish who was the driver of the car when it entered the water.

The three teens that tragically drowned were all students at Sunderland College with the college today paying tribute.

A spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to hear three students from our Bede Campus tragically lost their lives yesterday afternoon.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland.

“Everyone at Sunderland College extends our heartfelt thoughts and deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“We also pay tribute to the emergency services and all those who responded at the scene.

“Support is available to any students or our colleagues who may be affected by this tragedy and ask that the privacy of the families of those involved is respected.

“We are working alongside the police, and any media enquiries should be directed to our Communications team.”