One dead after car plunges into river

A 38-year-old woman is dead and a young child remains trapped in a car which crashed into the Whanganui River this afternoon, police say.

The white Subaru was carrying five passengers when it plunged off Anzac Parade into the river at about 1.25pm today.

Three men managed to escape and swim to safety but then returned to try and free the woman and child still trapped in the car, 10 metres under water.

Passers by also tried to reach them, Senior Sergeant Shayne Wainhouse said.

The woman's body was recovered by emergency services a short time later.

Police divers arrived from Wellington at 5.45pm and were still trying to free the child's body from the car.

Police were unable to confirm reports that the van's occupants were linked to the Mongrel Mob.

- NZPA