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.

Luke's family said the teen, who played in Seaham Red Star Football Club Youth Section's U17 team, was kind and funny and loved shopping for clothes, watching and playing football.

"He always knew the most up-to-date Sunderland football news and shared it with us immediately. Sunderland will miss its number one fan," they said in a tribute.

"Luke loved spending time with all his friends and family. As a family we did everything together from football to holidays, shopping trips and spending time with Wilf our dog.

"Luke is our life, we miss him so bad. Our hearts will ache forever."

Zara's family said she had "come into this world with a fight, and we know you left it doing the same".

She had previously attended The Drama Lab in Sunderland.

"You had a zest for life and life loved you," her family said in a tribute.

"Created as a companion for your sister, Olivia, who loves you deeply and unconditionally. You made us proud from day one, you studied and learnt new skills and made life time friends.

"Having fun along the way with your dance videos, infectious laugh and smile, you have always been our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, girlfriend and best friend.

"To everyone who has been in Zara's life we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You made her what she became."

Sunderland College also paid tributes to the teens.

It said Luke was a "charming, approachable and genuinely lovely lad", whose "kindness, enthusiasm and character" touched all at the sixth form.

In a tribute to Zara, it said her "friendliness, warmth, kindness and beautiful smile made an instant impression" and she was always willing to support other students.

The college added Jackson, who played for Hebburn Town Juniors and the club's U18s team, was a "polite, kind and funny young man", whose presence lifted others.

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