Three teenagers died after a black Audi A3 entered the River Wear in Sunderland just before 13:30 BST near Wearmouth Bridge. Northumbria Police said four people were in the car when it came off the road at Panns Bank.
A 17-year-old boy reached safety and was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries. He has since been arrested in connection with the incident.
Scott Cowie on the scene
Scott Cowie, Northumbria Police area commander for Sunderland, described it as "a truly tragic incident" and said, "Our thoughts are with their families, friends and all those impacted by what has happened,". He said the investigation was at an early stage while police worked to establish the circumstances.
The bodies of two teenage boys and a teenage girl were recovered from the water. Northumbria Police said no other vehicles are believed to have been involved.
Emergency teams at River Wear
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, the North East Ambulance Service and RNLI teams attended the scene. Members of the public were asked to continue to avoid the area.
Lewis Atkinson posted on X: "My thoughts are with everyone involved and their families, and with the emergency services responding to the scene." The response now sits with investigators trying to piece together how the Audi A3 left the road and entered the river.
