The mother of a young Sydney boy who drowned in a car that slid into the Hawkesbury River says it's hard to believe he's been taken away so quickly.
Four-year-old Bentley Hilton, from Cranebrook in western Sydney, was buckled up in a ute his grandfather had reversed down a boat ramp at Lower Portland on Sunday morning.
When the man hopped out to unstrap a tinnie in the back, the ute slid into the water and was swept away by the current.
Bentley's father and grandfather searched frantically for the submerged ute and the little boy inside it before emergency services arrived.
Hours later police divers found the vehicle about 20m from the boat ramp.
Paramedics were unable to revive the four-year-old.
Police say the Ford XR8 will be examined for any mechanical problem on Monday.
Bentley's mother, Lauren Hilton, told The Daily Telegraph her son was a "bright little boy" who was "always happy to see his mum, see his sister and see his family".
Ms Hilton last saw her son on Mother's Day.
"I spoke to him on Saturday night and he was happy telling me about everything he was doing. We were laughing and giggling," she said.
Bentley's aunt Heather said her nephew's death still doesn't feel real.
"Everyone keeps tell (sic) me that you are gone but you can't be, none of this can be true," Heather Marie said on Facebook.
"I love you so much Bentley more then (sic) you could ever imagine. So blessed to be your Aunty."
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