April 15, 2025

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Incident Overview
An 86-year-old man was found dead after his car accelerated through a car park, struck a 74-year-old woman , and plunged into the Parramatta River in Greenwich , Sydney’s north, on Monday, April 15, 2025 , at approximately 4:15 pm . The woman, who was known to the driver, was knocked into the river but rescued by passers-by and NSW Maritime personnel. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. Search teams recovered the man’s body over two hours later at 6:30 pm , while the vehicle remains submerged pending recovery and forensic examination.

Location and Time

  • Crash Date: Monday, April 15, 2025 (4:15 pm).
  • Recovery Date: Monday, April 15, 2025 (6:30 pm).
  • Location: Manns Point Boat Ramp car park near the **Greenwich Sailing Club**, O’Connell Street, Greenwich, Sydney.

Details of the Incident

  • The 86-year-old man was attempting to park his car when it accelerated through the car park, crashing through a fence and entering the **Parramatta River**.
  • Before entering the water, the car struck a 74-year-old woman, who was standing nearby with another family member. She was also knocked into the river.
  • Witnesses reported that the pair were preparing to go fishing at the time of the incident.

Injuries/Fatalities

  • Fatality: The 86-year-old male driver was pronounced dead after being recovered from the water at **6:30 pm**.
  • Injuries: The 74-year-old woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at the scene before being taken to **Royal North Shore Hospital**.

Emergency Response

  • Swift Response: NSW Police and paramedics arrived promptly at the scene to assist.
  • Rescue Efforts: Passers-by and NSW Maritime personnel helped rescue the 74-year-old woman from the river.
  • Search Operation: Search teams worked for over two hours to recover the 86-year-old man’s body from the water.
  • Vehicle Recovery: Authorities are coordinating efforts to retrieve the submerged vehicle for forensic examination.

Community Impact
The incident has shocked the Greenwich community, particularly due to the tragic loss of life and the unusual circumstances surrounding the crash. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bystanders rushed to assist the injured woman and search teams worked tirelessly to locate the driver.

Police Investigation
The NSW Police are investigating the crash, focusing on:

  • The cause of the car’s sudden acceleration and whether mechanical failure or driver error played a role.
  • Road conditions, signage, and visibility at the car park.
  • Potential factors such as distraction, fatigue, or medical issues affecting the driver.

A report will be prepared for the coroner to determine the exact cause of death and sequence of events.

Appeal for Information
Authorities urge anyone with dashcam footage, CCTV recordings, or eyewitness accounts from the Manns Point Boat Ramp car park around 4:15 pm on April 15 to contact police.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact:

Road Safety Context
This incident highlights the risks associated with vehicle accelerations, particularly in areas near water or pedestrian-heavy zones. Authorities remind drivers to:

  • Ensure their vehicles are regularly serviced to prevent mechanical failures.
  • Exercise caution in parking areas, especially those adjacent to waterways or high-risk environments.
  • Be vigilant for pedestrians and other road users in shared spaces.