The bodies of two tourists have been recovered from a river in Tasmania’s north-east after their hire car plunged off a bridge in a remote forestry area.
Police believe the couple, who were holidaying in Tasmania, died on Tuesday afternoon when their vehicle left the road and crashed into the Great Musselroe River off Tebrakunna Road, about 10km east of Pioneer.
Inspector Luke Manhood from Tasmania Police said the alarm was raised when Leannedra Kang and Takahiro Toya failed to return to Brisbane as scheduled.
“They were initially reported missing to Queensland Police I understand on Thursday evening and that report then was forwarded through to Tasmania Police,” Manhood said.
A search was initiated after phone records indicated their last connection to the mobile network was Tuesday afternoon in St Helens.
Search efforts led police to locate the vehicle upside down in the water off Tebrakunna Road around 5:30pm on Friday.
The rental car had gone off a bridge and fallen several metres into the river below, where it remained partially hidden from view.
“On further inspection of the vehicle by police and SES members, unfortunately we located the bodies of two people who we believe to be the missing people.”
One body was found beside the vehicle while the other was discovered about 20 metres downstream, requiring police divers to assist with recovery operations.
“Driving across the bridge, you wouldn’t actually see the vehicle unless you stopped,” Manhood explained.
“So it’s quite possible people have driven down that road and not realised the vehicle was there.”
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the crash, with efforts potentially hampered by the three-day delay in discovery and recent rainfall on the dirt road.
The remote forestry road is not a main route, but Manhood said mapping systems often direct tourists along such roads.
“The families are absolutely devastated. Obviously this is a young couple that should have had the rest of their lives ahead of them,” Manhood said.
“I’ve spoken to the sister of one of the deceased today and I spoke to the father of the other deceased by videoconference in Japan. They’re both in a bit of a state of shock at the moment.”
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
