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Devastated family members of a young boy who drowned in the Hawkesbury River on Sunday say they are "a mess" as they struggle to comprehend how a child with his whole life ahead of him is no longer with them.
Bentley Hilton, 4, from Cranebrook in western Sydney, was strapped into a seat of the Ford Falcon XR8 ute when his grandfather reversed down a boat ramp at a caravan park in Lower Portland about 11am on Sunday.
NSW Police Inspector Ian Woodward said the grandfather stopped the car at the bottom of the boat ramp on River Road, got out and was trying to unstrap a tin boat from the car, when it suddenly rolled into the water and was submerged.
It was low tide at the time and there was a sharp drop-off at the ramp, Inspector Woodward said.
The car was swept away, with Bentley still strapped inside in his seatbelt.
Bentley's grandfather and another man, believed to be the boy's father, dived into the water and frantically tried to search for Bentley, but police said there was a strong current and the car was washed away.
Nearly four hours later, emergency service workers recovered Bentley's body from the ute, which was found submerged about 20 metres from the boat ramp.
Bentley's shattered family members shared photos of the boy and tributes to him online.
"This can't be happening right now, it can't be true," his aunt, Heather Marie, wrote.
"I love you so much Bentley more then you could ever imagine. So blessed to be your Aunty."
She said her family was a "mess". "[It] breaks my heart so much [to] see all the family in this much pain," she said.
Another aunt, Nikita, said one of the "most beautiful things in life" had suddenly been snatched away.
"Rest in peace auntys little man," she said, adding that their love for him would "never be forgotten".
Inspector Woodward said on Sunday that the family was devastated.
"They came here for a nice family day out and unfortunately it has ended in tragedy," he said.
The boy's grandfather has provided a statement to police.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner.
