May 13, 2025

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Incident Overview
A tragic incident occurred on Monday, May 12, 2025 , when a blue sedan plunged into the Brisbane River near the Moggill Road Ferry , in Brisbane’s southwest.

Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle enter the water at approximately 6:45 pm . Emergency crews, including Queensland Fire Department units , specialist police , and swift-water rescue teams , launched an extensive search operation that lasted several hours.

The submerged car was located at around 11:20 pm , and by midnight , police divers confirmed the presence of a man in his 60s inside the vehicle . His body has since been recovered, and authorities have stated the death is not suspected to be criminal , with a post-mortem examination underway to determine the cause of the crash.

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Monday, May 12, 2025 (vehicle entered river at approximately 6:45 pm).
  • Recovery Date: Early hours of Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (vehicle located at 11:20 pm; body confirmed just after midnight.
  • Location: Brisbane River near Moggill Road Ferry, Brisbane’s southwest.

Vehicle Involved

  • A **blue sedan**, which witnesses saw plunge into the river near the ferry landing.

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatality:
    • A man in his 60s was found deceased inside the submerged vehicle following recovery operations.

Emergency Response

  • Specialist police and **swift-water rescue teams** responded immediately after reports came in that a car had entered the river.
  • Divers and emergency crews spent **hours searching the river**, using sonar equipment and boats to locate the vehicle.
  • The car was finally located submerged near the ferry landing and brought to the surface for recovery.

“Following extensive searches along the river by specialist police and other agencies, the vehicle was located about 11:20 pm.”
— Queensland Police statement

Police Investigation
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, focusing on:

  • How and why the vehicle entered the river near the ferry zone.
  • Road conditions, visibility, and signage at the time of the incident.
  • Potential factors such as medical emergency, fatigue, or mechanical failure.

At this stage, there is no indication of foul play. The investigation remains open pending post-mortem results and forensic analysis.

“Police confirmed the death is not suspicious, with investigations ongoing as they await post mortem results.”
— Queensland Police update

Community Impact
This tragic event has shocked locals, particularly due to its location near the iconic Moggill Ferry , a known crossing point for vehicles but not typically associated with serious incidents.

The prolonged search effort highlighted the dangers of water-related crashes and the complexity involved in locating and recovering submerged vehicles.

Appeal for Information
While the driver has been identified and no foul play is suspected, police are still seeking witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the moments before the crash: