Police divers have retrieved the body of a 17-year-old girl who was driving a vehicle that plunged into the Richmond River at South Ballina, in northern New South Wales, this morning.
The vehicle went into the water off River Drive at about 11.45am.
Richmond Police Acting Inspector Anthony Smith said a female passenger escaped from the vehicle with assistance from passers-by.
"The passenger is unharmed," he said.
"Shaken but remarkably well."
Police divers from Sydney arrived at the scene this afternoon to retrieve the vehicle and driver.
"It will shake a lot of people — a lot of people tried to get that driver out and unfortunately they couldn't," Acting Inspector Smith said.
"A number of people went into the water, including three police.
"The vehicle is at least 6 metres below the surface, so it's a long way down."
Acting Inspector Smith said it was unclear what caused the accident, and appealed for witnesses to contact police.
"The vehicle was travelling south and has failed to negotiate the right-hand bend and has tragically ended up in the water," he said.
"We believe there could be another witness to the accident and we encourage that driver to come forward."
Officers from Marine Area Command, the State Emergency Service, NSW Ambulance, NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue and NSW Surf Life Saving all attended the scene.
