Three teens die after car plunges into river

Three teenagers have died after the car they were travelling in careered off the road into the Great Ouse river in Cambridgeshire yesterday afternoon.

Cambridgeshire police were called to the scene at around 3.50pm following reports of a vehicle having left New River Bank Road and gone into the river.

One man, a 20-year-old from Ely managed to get out of the blue Vauxhall Cavalier, but three others were trapped inside.

A specialist team from Spartan Rescue was able to find the car in the water. Working with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, they managed to right the car and then winch it to the side of the river.

The bodies of a 19-year-old woman from Witchford, near Ely, and two 15-year-old boys from Ely were recovered and taken to the mortuary at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

The survivor, who was suffering from hypothermia and shock, remains in hospital where his condition is said to be stable.

The road remains closed while officers carry out a detailed investigation into how the crash happened. They will also be speaking to the 20-year-old survivor when the medical staff at Addenbrookes say he is well enough to do so.

Sergeant Tim Stonebridge said: "We would appeal for anyone who saw what happened to get in touch with us. We would also like to speak to anyone who saw the Cavalier in the minutes leading up to the crash.

"Any fatal crash is a tragedy, but for three young people to loose their lives so close to Christmas must be particularly difficult for their families. That is why it is vital we find out exactly what happened."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 01480 422 585.

(gmcg)