UPDATED 2.16PM: Police have now recovered a car which was found submerged in the Kaituna River near Maketu on Friday night.

However, a police spokesperson says at this stage the number and location of any occupants who may have been inside the vehicle at the time of the crash is still unknown.

'The search of the river by the National Dive Squad is ongoing.”

Police are appealing to the occupants of the vehicle or anyone who may have information about the crash which occurred on Ford Road near Maketu on Friday night to contact their nearest police station.

EARLIER:

The police dive squad is currently searching the Kaituna River in the Bay of Plenty for any survivors of a car crash which occurred overnight.

A spokesperson says police responded to reports of a crash on Ford Road near Maketu and discovered a vehicle submerged in the river shortly after 11pm.

'At this stage, we are unable to confirm whether there was anyone in the vehicle.

'The dive squad has been called and will carry out a search of the river this morning.”

The spokesperson says they're currently working on an update and hoped to have more information soon.