A Sydney family has been left devastated after a four-year-old boy died trapped inside a car submerged in the Hawkesbury River.
The child, from Cranebrook in western Sydney, was buckled up in the backseat of a ute his grandfather had reversed down a boat ramp at Lower Portland about 10.45am on Sunday.
The man hopped out to unstrap a tinnie in the back when the ute slid into the water, NSW Police Inspector Ian Woodward said.
It was low tide and there was a sharp drop-off at the ramp.
The car was swept away, with the boy still inside.
"The man made frantic efforts to try and get the child out of the vehicle but he was unsuccessful," Insp Woodward told reporters at the scene.
"The child's family and a number of police officers entered the water and tried to recover the vehicle and the child but they were unsuccessful in their attempts."
Emergency services launched a intensive rescue effort in a bid to save the boy, but the search ended in tragedy several hours later.
"The four-year-old boy was located inside the car which was submerged approximately 20m from the boat ramp," Insp Woodward said.
"The child was dead when we recovered him."
Insp Woodward said the child's family were devastated.
"They came here for a nice family day out and unfortunately it has ended in tragedy," he said.
The boy's grandfather has provided a statement to police.
Police are continuing inquiries and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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