Investigation launched after driver veers off road and into dam at Sawyers Valley, east of Perth
A man behind the wheel of a car that veered off the road and into a dam about 40km east of Perth overnight has died.
The blue Mitsubishi Lancer hatchback plunged into the water just off Forrest St about 10pm on Wednesday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Body recovered from car that plunged into Sawyers Valley dam.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Water police spent the night and morning working to recover the driver and car.
The Lancer was winched out of the dam, which is on private property, about 11am.
“Tragically, police discovered the body of a 34-year-old male inside the vehicle,” WA Police said.
Major Crash investigators are at the scene working out exactly what happened.
Neighbours heard a swooshing sound and ran outside as the car sunk to the bottom of the 3m-deep dam, which was described as “very murky and very cold”.
“I just saw the tail lights under the water — that was all,” witness Chris Woodward told 7NEWS.
Woodward said he circled the dam but “couldn’t see any sign of anything else” so rushed to call triple-0.
Local police, paramedics from St John WA and crews from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services raced to the scene.
An underwater drone was used to assess the situation.
Mary Woodward described the incident as “terribly tragic”.
“You don’t ever want this to happen on your doorstep,” she said.
Police have closed Forrest St in both directions.
Originally published on 7NEWS
