Boy, 4, found dead after family car “slides” into Hawkesbury River
3:15PM | A four-year-old boy who was still inside a car that “slid” into the Hawkesbury River and sank to the bottom north-west of Sydney on Sunday morning has been found dead.
Police said the car was seen by witnesses reversing a boat and trailer into the river at Lower Portland at around 10.45am when the vehicle appeared to “slide” into the water with the child still inside.
After almost three frantic hours of searching, the boy’s body was found shortly before 2pm.
In a statement confirming the child’s death, police dismissed earlier reports which suggesting the boy’s body had been found still strapped inside the vehicle.
Police said the search continues for the vehicle, trailer and boat.
Police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
12:30PM | Rescue crews are frantically searching for a car that has reportedly plunged into the Hawkesbury River north-west of Sydney with fears a child is trapped inside.
It’s understood the vehicle was seen reversing down a boat ramp and into the river at Newell’s caravan park on River Road in Lower Portland at 10.45am on Sunday.
PHOTO: Twitter / TEN News Sydney @TenNewsSydney
Witnesses have told police they saw the car reversing a boat and trailer into the river when it appeared to have “slid” into the water.
A four-year-old boy was believed to be in the vehicle, which is now completely submerged and cannot be found.
“It is believed the vehicle has been pushed downstream by a strong current,” police said in a statement.
Dozens of police, SES volunteers and paramedics are on scene searching for the car and the child.
The police helicopter is also overhead.
#BREAKING 4yo child trapped in submerged vehicle #Hawkesbury river, #LowerPortland. Rescue crews on scene. #TenNews pic.twitter.com/UCs5CG7MNr
— TEN News Sydney (@TenNewsSydney) May 29, 2016
JUST IN: Reports car has reversed into the Hawkesbury River at Lower Portland. Emergency crews are on scene. #9News pic.twitter.com/fE5gv3qZA3
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) May 29, 2016
UPDATE: Car was reversing boat & trailer into Hawkesbury River when it slid into water with young boy inside. #9News pic.twitter.com/Q9k7kEBq8i
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) May 29, 2016
This is a breaking news story. More information will be added once it is made available.
