SA Police launch urgent search after bodies found near Port MacDonnell coastline

Police have called off the search for a baby hours after the bodies of a woman and a toddler were found off a rugged stretch of South Australian coastline.

The bodies were found in the ocean at Port MacDonnell — the state’s southernmost town about 30km from Mount Gambier — sparking a major police response.

WATCH ABOVE: Two bodies have been pulled from the water in the south-east of SA

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On Monday evening it was confirmed the body of a local 36-year-old and her two-year-old child had been found.

Superintendent Trent Cox of the Limestone Coast Police and officer in charge said police responded to the “tragic incident” after a member of the public found a car with its engine on about 11am on Monday. The person was unable to locate the vehicle’s owner.

“He subsequently sighted what he believed to be the body of an adult floating in the water. Shortly after, he noticed a second body which looked to be that of a small child,” Cox told media.

The car was about 100m from nearby cliffs, where the woman is believed to have fallen with one child, possibly two.

Cox confirmed the second child remains missing and hold “grave concerns” for their welfare.

“The child is less than one year old, in any conditions that would cause great concern about the child’s ability to survive, if not [just] in the water,” he said.

“We are keeping an open mind, but I don’t hold great hope.”

The search has been called off due to bad weather, but will begin again at first light on Tuesday.

Detectives from Major Crime Investigation Branch and specialist forensic officers are travelling to the scene as the investigation intensifies.

Any person who has seen a white Isuzu MUX with the SA registration S592BJR in the area is urged to contact police.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 131114. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.

A search for a person is underway at Port MacDonnell  Credit: 7NEWS