THE man and woman who were found dead in a car after it left the road and entered the Macleay River at Smithtown have been named as former Orange residents Margaret and Cameron Rodwell.
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Police were told the Mitsubishi was travelling on Croads Esplanade when it left the road and went into the water about 11.10am on Wednesday morning.
It is understood the 79-year-old mother and her 54-year-old son, were heading to a birthday party.
Police believe the vehicle was attempting a U-turn when it left the road, but investigations are continuing.
A rescue operation began involving officers from Mid North Police District, NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue and Maritime NSW.
Rescue divers from Sydney arrived in Smithtown by helicopter at 3.30pm and found the vehicle four metres beneath the surface about 4pm.
The two bodies were removed from the vehicle before it was lifted out of the river by crane.
The car will be forensically examined, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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