Man and two children die after vehicle plunges off wharf

The bodies of a man and two children have been pulled from a auto that appeared to have been deliberately driven off a wharf in the South Australian town of Port Lincoln on Monday.

Divers from SA Police’s Water Operations Section flew to Port Lincoln from Adelaide for an underwater search, and police said the bodies of the man and children were found just before 12:30pm.

“It will be a situation where somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody; there’s no doubt this will affect a lot of people”.

Emergency services were called to the main wharf, at King St, after reports a auto had driven off at about 70-80km/h and sunk. Major Crime Investigation Branch, forensic experts and the Major Crash Investigation Unit are assisting the Port Lincoln Crime Investigation Branch in handling the case.

The incident is believed to have occurred around 6am on Monday morning.

Port Lincoln Mayor Bruce Green said the incident was a tragedy for the entire community.

Witnesses reported a vehicle travelling at a fast rate drove off the main wharf and into the water.

The vehicle sank up to 30 metres deep.

Police divers are on their way to Port Lincoln after a auto drove off the city’s main wharf.

The auto is believed to have been submerged in 30m of water.

More information will be released when further details are known.