Missing man found dead after car swept into river in Victoria’s east

A man has been found dead after his car was swept away by floodwaters in West Gippsland.

The 66-year-old Mirboo North man was driving a Nissan Patrol when he got into trouble at Thomson, north of Mt Baw Baw, while attempting to cross a swollen river near Sullivan Track on Monday afternoon.

His 4WD dropped in what appeared to be a deep section of the crossing, was inundated with water and swept away.

The man’s friend, who was driving behind him in another vehicle, unsuccessfully tried to help rescue him before raising the alarm.

Search and Rescue Squad divers located the driver inside his submerged vehicle this morning.