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New mother fights for life after car plunges into dam in Victoria

A new mum is fighting for life after a car her husband was driving plunged into a Victorian dam.

Kerry Arrow and her husband Phil Budding were in the car when their white Nissan Patrol drove off the side of a steep dirt driveway and into the dam at Healesville, northeast of Melbourne, at 10.20am on Saturday.

The Nissan Patrol veered off the steep dirt driveway and ended up in a dam. Picture: 7 News
The Nissan Patrol veered off the steep dirt driveway and ended up in a dam. Picture: 7 News

The couple were on their way to the Mercy Hospital to visit their sick newborn baby Jock, who was born late last week.

Mr Budding managed to escape the submerged car and pull his 36-year-old wife, a South African expat, to safety.

Police divers searched the dam, initially fearing the newborn may have also been in the vehicle when it sank.

Paramedics administered CPR on Ms Arrow, a clinical psychologist, before she was airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

Kerry Arrow, 36, completed her PHD in clinical psychology last year. Picture: Supplied
Kerry Arrow, 36, completed her PHD in clinical psychology last year. Picture: Supplied
The pair were on their way to visit their newborn baby Jock in hospital. Picture: Supplied
The pair were on their way to visit their newborn baby Jock in hospital. Picture: Supplied

Police arrested Mr Budding, 32, at the scene, but he has since been released without charge.

The pair married 12 months ago at a surprise wedding on their eight hectare horse property, which they purchased 18 months ago.

Kerry Arrow and Phil Budding wed on their property a year ago. Picture: Supplied
Kerry Arrow and Phil Budding wed on their property a year ago. Picture: Supplied

"The circumstances of how it ended up in the dam are certainly still under investigation"' Detective Sergeant Stephen Hill told 7 News.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and forensic experts continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The car was pulled from the water and taken for forensic testing.