Families pay tribute to teens who died in River Wear

The families of two teenagers who died when the car they were in ended up in a river have paid tribute to their kindness and “zest for life”.

Sixteen-year-olds Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw died along with Jackson Duke, 17, when the black Audi A3 they were in came off the road at Panns Bank near Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland, and plunged into the Wear just before 13:30 BST on Tuesday.

Luke’s family said the Sunderland fan was caring and loved their dog Wilf, adding their hearts would “ache forever”.

Zara had a “zest for life” and an “infectious laugh and smile”, making her family proud “from day one”, they said in a tribute.

All three teens were students at Sunderland College, which said the news had “devastated” everyone across its community.

Jackson and Luke were from Sunderland and Zara was from Newbottle, a village about six miles (9km) from the city.