The bodies of a woman and her toddler have been recovered from the ocean amid a major search near Port MacDonnell in South Australia’s South East.
SA Police said emergency services were continuing to search for a missing infant, and had “grave concerns for the child’s safety”.
“The woman has been identified as a 36-year-old from Compton and the [deceased] toddler is her child,” police said.
SA Police and the State Emergency Service were called to an area near Cape Northumberland Road about 11:15am.
In a statement, police said a vehicle was located west of Port MacDonnell with its engine running.
“During subsequent enquiries, police tragically located two bodies in the ocean,” police said in the statement.
“Detectives from Major Crime Investigation Branch and specialist officers from Forensic Response Section are travelling to the scene.”
Two bodies have been recovered from the ocean off the Port MacDonnell coastline. (ABC News: Aiden MacNamara)
Police have urged anyone who may have seen a white Isuzu MU-X, with South Australian registration S592 BJR, to contact Crime Stoppers.
“Anyone who may have captured the vehicle on dash cam footage is also urged to contact police,” they said.
Compton is a small locality outside Mount Gambier, which is about 26 kilometres north of Port MacDonnell.
A police helicopter was deployed to the area and drones had also been requested.