Two bodies have now been recovered from a car that plunged into a lake near Rotorua yesterday, police have confirmed.
A car is winched out of Lake Rotoma after a crash that claimed two lives. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive
The car has been winched to the surface of the lake, after being submerged in water for almost 24 hours.
A Sunlive photographer at the scene this morning said he saw two bodies recovered, and a hearse waiting nearby.
He said the car appeared to be a station wagon.
Police have now confirmed that two people have died, and police are working to support their family.
The car crashed off State Highway 30 into Lake Rotomā - 38 kilometres east of Rotorua - at 12.30pm yesterday.
The police dive squad near the shore of Lake Rotoma as they try to recover a car that plunged into the waters. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive
Emergency services unsuccessfully tried to lift it from the water, before it was recovered with the help of the police dive team.
The lake has a maximum depth of 73 metres at the southern end, where the highway skirts it.
It is reported to be the cleanest of Rotorua's lakes, with items visible underwater to a depth of 11 metres.
Efforts to recover a submerged vehicle in Lake Rotoma. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive
The police dive squad help to recover a car that plunged into Lake Rotoma on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive
Police divers after the submerged car was recovered from Lake Rotoma. Photo: Daniel Hines/SunLive