A footballer who died with two other teenagers after a car smashed through a barrier and plunged into the River Wear drowned inside the vehicle, an inquest has heard.
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inquest → die → vehicle
Jackson Duke, 17, died along with Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw, both aged 16, when an Audi A3 plunged into the river in Sunderland city centre on September 29.
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A3 → die → September
Coroner's officer Vicky Ross said Northumbria Police were called to the Panns Bank area of the city following reports that four people in the car had gone into the Wear.
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people → say → Wear
She said one of the occupants had 'self-extricated' and was able to make it to safety.
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one → say → safety
The other three teenagers 'tragically' could not escape and were later found by divers, still in the Audi.
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teenagers → escape → Audi
Ms Ross said: 'The circumstances surrounding the incident are subject to an ongoing investigation by Northumbria Police.'
Sunderland senior coroner David Place extended his condolences to Jackson's parents, who were in attendance for the seven-minute hearing.
Mr Place said it was 'a tragic loss for the whole of the city'.
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it → say → city
Jackson Duke, 17, was described as a 'well-respected and popular' teenager
The vehicle was pulled from the water just 24 hours after the crash which claimed the lives of three teenagers
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which → describe → teenagers
Mr Place said the provisional cause of death indicated by the post-mortem examination was 'likely to be consistent with drowning'.
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cause → say → drowning
The coroner adjourned the hearing until January 21 next year.
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coroner → adjourn → January
At Sunderland's Premier League match against Brighton on Saturday, fans and players paid tribute to the teenagers, who studied at Sunderland College.
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who → pay → College
Before the game, players stood around the centre circle while fans applauded for a minute.
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fans → stand → minute
Sunderland players also wore black armbands during the match.
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players → wear → match
In a social media post made before the game, Sunderland AFC's charity Foundation of Light said it was 'deeply saddened' by the death of Jackson, who was part of its scholarship programme.
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who → make → programme
On Wednesday, the teenager's teammates and staff at the charity held their own minute's silence ahead of their fixture.
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teammates → hold → fixture
They wrote: 'As Sunderland AFC players wear black armbands and supporters come together in a minute's applause this afternoon, our thoughts remain with Jackson's family, friends, teammates and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
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thoughts → write → tragedy
His school also paid tribute to the young footballer.
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school → pay → footballer
Principal of Castle View Enterprise Academy, Mrs Owens wrote: 'We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Jackson Duke.
'
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We → write → Duke
On behalf of everyone at Castle View Enterprise Academy, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Jackson's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
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I → like → time
'Jackson was a well-respected and popular member of our school community who fully embraced academic life.
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who → respect → life
Polite, friendly and much-liked, he made a positive impression on both staff and fellow students.
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he → like → staff
Jackson left Castle View Enterprise Academy in 2025, having achieved a full suite of GCSE qualifications and completed his Duke of Edinburgh Award.
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Jackson → leave → Award
He was a keen sportsman and valued member of our football team, contributing enthusiastically to school life beyond the classroom.
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He → contribute → classroom
'Jackson will be remembered fondly by those who knew him, and his passing will be deeply felt across our Academy community.
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passing → remember → community
'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Jackson's family, friends and all those who knew and cared for him.'
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who → know → him
Luke Etheridge, from Sunderland, was described by his grieving family as a 'funny and handsome' boy who loved his dog Wilf and was football mad.
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who → describe → dog
They wrote: 'Our beautiful boy Luke was loving, kind, caring, funny and handsome.
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boy → write → ?
He was so friendly and polite and loved our dog Wilf, shopping for clothes, watching and playing football.
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He → love → football
'He always knew the most up to date Sunderland football news and shared it with us immediately.
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He → know → us
Sunderland will miss its number one fan.
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Sunderland → miss → fan
'Luke loved spending time with all his friends and family.
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Luke → spend → friends
As a family we did everything together from football to holidays, shopping trips and spending time with Wilf our dog.
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we → do → Wilf
'Luke is our life, we miss him so bad.
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we → miss → him
Our hearts will ache forever.
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hearts → ache → ?
'Thanks to all family and friends – we love you
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we → love → family
Luke Etheridge, 16, was described by his grieving family as a 'funny and handsome' boy
Zara Shaw, 16, was described as a 'beautiful girl' who had an 'infectious laugh and smile'.
Match officials, players and fans stand for a minute's applause in remembrance of three young Sunderland fans who died
Zara Shaw's family also paid tribute to their 'beautiful girl' who had an 'infectious laugh and smile.'
They wrote: 'Zara, you came into this world with a fight, and we know you left it doing the same.
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you → describe → same
You had a zest for life and life loved you.
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life → have → you
Created as a companion for your sister, Olivia, who loves you deeply and unconditionally.
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who → create → you
You made us proud from day one, you studied and learnt new skills and made lifetime 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.
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you → make → videos
At the worst time of our lives we thank each and every one of you for kindness and good wishes.
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we → thank → kindness
We are humbled and grateful.
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We → humble → ?
…and 3 more, not listed.
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