Three teenagers have died and a 17-year-old boy has been arrested after a car entered the water in the River Wear in Sunderland, police said.

Emergency services received reports that a black Audi A3 had come off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and entered the water at around 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Four people were in the car at the time, Northumbria Police said. Following a search, the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl were recovered from the water.

A 17-year-old boy managed to reach safety and has now been arrested in connection with the incident.

He is currently in hospital with “non-serious injuries,” police said.

Chief Supt Scott Cowie, area commander for Sunderland, said: “This is a truly tragic incident where three young people have lost their lives.

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

He added that the investigation is at a “very early stage” and asked members of the public not to speculate about the incident.

In a statement over the incident, police said no other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

“Three teenagers have tragically died after a car entered the water in the River Wear in Sunderland,” the statement said.

“Shortly before 1.30pm today (Tuesday), police received a number of reports from the public of a black Audi A3 car coming off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge and entering the water.

“Four people are understood to have been in the car at the time, with a 17-year-old boy managing to reach safety. He is currently in hospital with what have been described as non-serious injuries.

“Sadly, the bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl have been recovered from the water. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

“An investigation is under way into the circumstances of what happened. At this early stage no other vehicles are believed to have been involved.

“The boy who reached safety has subsequently been arrested in connection with the incident. He remains in police custody at this time.”

Rescue teams composed of police, ambulance, the RNLI, the Coastguard and the fire and rescue service were involved in a multi-hour search of the river.

The search centred on an area around Panns Bank, on the Wear’s southern bank.

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

A man, who did not wish to be identified, told the Press Association he heard a bang and a sound like a very large rock hitting water, followed shortly by sirens.

The next of kin of the three teenagers who died have been informed and are being supported by officers.