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The bodies of a woman and young child have been pulled from the ocean near the border of Victoria and South Australia, as authorities work to find a missing baby.
South Australia Police on Monday evening said officers were called to an area west of Port Macdonnell – about 27 kilometres south of Mount Gambier – after reports a vehicle had been found empty with its engine still running.
“During subsequent enquiries, police tragically located two bodies in the ocean,” police said.
“The body of a woman and a toddler have been recovered.”
Police confirmed the woman had been identified as a 36-year-old from nearby Compton, and the toddler was her child.
The search for a second child continues, with police holding grave concerns for the infant.
Speaking to media late on Monday, Superintendent Trent Cox, officer in charge of the Limestone Police, said the missing child was younger than a year old.
“The baby is known to have been with the mother earlier that day, but as to whether the baby was still with her when the vehicle was left, that’s open to speculation,” he said.
“The child is less than one year old. In any conditions, that would cause great concern about the child’s ability to survive [even] if not in the water. We’re keeping an open mind about everything, but I don’t hold out great hope.”
He said multiple agencies who had been assisting in the search, including SES and CFS volunteers with thermal imaging drones, would return at first light on Tuesday to continue looking for the infant, both on land and at sea.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen a white Isuzu MU-X, SA Registration S592BJR to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Cox urged those with information to come forward, so officers could piece together the woman’s movements before the bodies were discovered.
“We’re trying to build a picture of the woman’s movement leading up to her arriving at Cape Northumberland,” he said, noting the waters below the cliffs were treacherous and not easily accessible.
“I can’t imagine what the family are going through. It’s tragic for them, it’s an awful thing for emergency services and the community to have to deal with.”
Anyone who may have captured the vehicle on dashcam footage is also urged to contact police.
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