Updated – 5pm Monday: Police have revealed the elderly pair who were rescued after their car plunged into the water at the Bruny Island ferry terminal today were from Tasmania’s north-east.
Tasmania Police Inspector Colin Riley said the couple had been on the island to to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary, praising the quick thinking of a female SeaLink worker who rescued the pair.
“One of the the females jumped into the water. She used an instrument and broke the glass and brought the male out of the vehicle. And then she went back and assisted the female out of the vehicle,” Riley said.
“The couple went to the local shop. They were given warm clothes, they were given food and that really assisted in the recovery process.”
The couple, who were taken to hospital as a precaution, are believed to be in good spirits.
“[It was] extremely traumatic for them and the people that witnessed it. And we’re just very grateful that it ended on a positive note rather than a very traumatic note,” Riley said.
WorkSafe Tasmania are now investigating how the incident occurred.
Updated – 7pm Monday: The vehicle has been retrieved from the water by crane tonight, with SeaLink confirming normal schedules will resume tomorrow.
Earlier: A car carrying an elderly couple has gone into the water at the Bruny Island ferry terminal this morning, prompting operator SeaLink to suspend all services.
Witnesses told Pulse that two people were inside the vehicle when it entered the water at Roberts Point on Bruny Island around 10am on Monday.
Both were rescued safely, according to those at the scene. One witness told Pulse the car drove off the end of the pier.
Another witness said a young SeaLink crew member jumped into the water to help free the pair before emergency services arrived.
“Ferry services are suspended until further notice. We will advise once operations recommence,” SeaLink said in a statement at 10:30am.
A Tasmania Police spokesperson confirmed to Pulse that a vehicle, a silver Mitsubishi, had gone into the water.
“Two people who were inside the vehicle are safely on the shore,” the spokesperson said. “At this stage, no injuries have been reported.”
Senior Sergeant Peter Borish said the car is believed to have been on the loading ramp as the ferry was leaving the terminal.
“Police thank the member of the community who promptly dove into the water, smashed a window on the vehicle and assisted the elderly couple to safely exit the car and water,” Borish said.
“Police also thank Tassal for their assistance at the scene, which included the use of a boat crane on water.”
Work is currently underway to remove the vehicle from the water, while WorkSafe Tasmania has been notified to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
