Two police officers suffered hypothermia and one man is under arrest after a car was allegedly driven off a boat ramp at Port Stephens on Sunday night.
A 34-year-old man told police he was a passenger in a car which was allegedly driven into the water and a second person was trapped inside.
Emergency services, including water police, NSW Ambulance, the NSW State Emergency Service and Maritime Services, attended the scene.
Two officers repeatedly entered the water searching for the person believed to be trapped in the vehicle.
When police winched the car closer to the shore, it became clear there was no one inside.
The two officers had to be treated for the effects of hypothermia after spending 20 minutes in the water.
The 34-year-old man was arrested and taken for mandatory tests. Police are continuing their enquires into the incident.
