Manawatu Gorge closed for vehicle recovery

The Manawatu Gorge was closed this afternoon to enable police to recover a vehicle from the Manawatu River.

A police dive squad was called in to assist after a car plunged into the gorge this morning.

The vehicle, believed to be a Subaru, left the road, crashed through a roadside barrier, and plunged 20 metres in to the river, near Ashhurst at 7.35am.

Police don't know how many people were in the vehicle.

Spokeswoman Kim Perks said two witnesses went down the bank to help, but the vehicle was completely submerged and there no sign of any survivors.

Search and rescue were unable to reach the vehicle.

Police were attempting to recover the vehicle this afternoon and diversions were in place while the gorge was closed.

- NZPA