The extraction of the Ford Falcon, reported as stolen on Tuesday morning, required the attention of six fire brigade officers, six State Emergency Service (SES) staff and two police officers.

Police were notified of the car’s situation on Tuesday but were unable to retrieve it that day due to the high tide.

“The fire brigade attended and put floatation booms around the car to stop the spreading of fuel and oil,” Port Macquarie Police inspector Ron Mumford said.

The car, sitting submerged in the high tide, was not only a hazard to the ecosystem but to boats on the river.

The SES assisted by attaching a wire to the car to winch it to dry land.

Police inquiries will continue into the theft of the car.