Princess Royal Harbour crash under investigation after police find occupants receiving treatment at hospital

Three men were lucky to escape serious injury after their ute plunged into Princess Royal Harbour on Monday night, giving police a scare when they came across the semi-submerged wreck. Albany police officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Hugh Letessier said officers were called out to the area about 9.30pm after a member of the public reported hoon driving in the vicinity of Parade and Festing streets. After finding no evidence of hoon driving in their initial search, police drove along Princess Royal Drive, where they found a black Nissan Navara utility upside down in the harbour, resting against the rocky bank. Police say the ute failed to negotiate a bend and left the road, crashing into the water. “We initially attended the report of hoon driving in the vicinity of Parade and Festing streets but didn’t see anything,” Sen. Sgt Letessier said. “We had more of a look around and found a car upside down in the water. “Our officers had a look inside the car and thankfully there was no one trapped inside.” Meanwhile, the three occupants of the ute had turned up at Albany Health Campus. A WA Country Health spokeswoman confirmed the occupants of the vehicle were treated for minor injuries at the emergency department. “We conducted some inquiries with the registered car owner and that led us to Albany hospital where we caught up with the three occupants of the vehicle,” Sen. Sgt Letessier said. “The male driver provided a sample of blood which will be analysed for illicit substances.” Albany residents woke to see the wreckage of the Nissan Navara still in the water alongside the busy Princess Royal Drive on Tuesday morning. Southern Ports staff spent the morning cleaning up debris that was scattered across the shoreline. They also worked to prevent oil and fuel from spilling any further into the harbour. The ute was eventually pulled from the water before noon on Tuesday. Sen. Sgt Letessier said no charges had been laid at this stage, but police were waiting for the results of blood tests. “We are still investigating,” he said. “If anyone saw the car being driven in that area around 9.30pm on Monday we would like to speak to them and we encourage them to contact Albany police on 9892 9300.”