An underwater search team looking for the occupants of a car swept away in the River Trent have found two bodies.
Specialist officers with sonar equipment have been scouring the swollen Trent since February 1st.
The blue car was found on the riverbed near Hoveringham, Nottinghamshire.
But the police encountered difficulties in reaching the victims.
Fed by rain and snow the river has been a “torrent”.
However, the bodies of a man and a woman have been recovered.
Relatives have been informed.
Work is now underway to recover the car.
A tugboat from Newark, Nottinghamshire, is being deployed.
Inspector Tim Ringer, leading the recovery operation, said:
“This has been a difficult and complex operation involving dozens of people from multiple agencies.
“Underwater recoveries of this nature are always very challenging, but our divers’ work has been further complicated by the very fast flowing water at the site.
“It was simply not safe to attempt this work before today.
“Shortly after 10.30am this morning we were able to enter the water and – as expected – discovered two bodies inside the vehicle.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of the deceased who have asked for their privacy to be respected at what I know is an immensely difficult time.”
Eyewitness Christopher Bulpitt said he saw the car drifting along the river.
He said: “I sat sitting having tea in our conservatory and this blue car floated down the river.
“The bonnet was down into the water; the back was sticking up a bit and it looked like two people inside.”
Mr Bulpitt’s wife Pauline added:
“It was quite shocking.
“My husband rushed to get his Wellington boots, hoping the car would come into the bank further up and we might be able to do something to help.
“There was another gentleman running down the field to see if he could do something to help but the car carried on down.”
