Body found in submerged car in Sydney’s Royal National Park

The body of a man who became trapped in a sinking car has been found after a massive search in Sydney’s Royal National Park.

The car is believed to have veered off the road before crashing into Audley Weir in the Sutherland Shire around 1.15 am this morning.

There were two men inside the car, a driver and a passenger.
Divers search for the car and the body of the passenger trapped inside.

Divers search for the car and the body of the passenger trapped inside. (9News)

The 20-year-old driver was able to free himself from the sinking car and was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Một con đường có nước bao quanh hai bên, đầu và cuối đường là vùng đất có cây cối. Các sĩ quan cảnh sát đứng trên đường.
The body was recovered following a multi-agency search for a male passenger whose car submerged in water. (ABC News)

Emergency services have located the body of a male passenger after a car submerged underwater at the Royal National Park in Sydney’s south.

Authorities were called to Audley Weir in the park about 1:15am, following reports a car had gone into the water with two people inside.

The 20-year-old male driver was able to get out of the vehicle, but the passenger, believed to be in his early 20s, became trapped.

A wide aerial shot of a body of water winding around land with trees and a road crossing connecting both sides.

Emergency services were called to the weir about 1:15am Wednesday morning. (ABC News)

A police dive squad was deployed and a blue car was retrieved just before 11am on Wednesday.

Acting Inspector Steven Planinic from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command confirmed the man’s body was retrieved by police divers.

He is yet to be formally identified.

An aerial shot of three police cars on a road surrounded by trees with investigators in uniform nearby.

The driver managed to escape the vehicle but his passenger became trapped. (ABC News)

Driver in custody

“The driver of the vehicle … was subject to mandatory testing and has been released from hospital, where he is now in custody at Sutherland Police Station, taking part in a police interview,” Acting Inspector Planinic said.

Police said a second vehicle was involved in the incident, and its driver, 18, was also speaking with investigators.

A yellow road closed sign witth some orange cones around it and along the side of one road lane.

Roads have been closed as investigations continue. (ABC News: Simon Amery)

“It does not appear at this early stage to be any contact between the two vehicles,” Acting Inspector Planinic said.

He said one potential theory police were investigating was whether racing was involved.

A mechanical examination of the blue vehicle was expected to take place, Acting Inspector Planinic said.

NSW Police said there were initial delays to the multi-agency search due to low night-time visibility.