A sombre mood has descended over South Australia’s town of Port Lincoln, after a father drove his car off a wharf killing himself and his two young sons.

Damien Little was seen driving the family station wagon off the wharf at speeds of up to 80 km/h just after 6am on Monday.

It was more than six hours later that police recovered the bodies of the 34-year-old and his sons, four-year-old Koda and nine-month-old Hunter on the Eyre Peninsula, along with a rifle found in the car.

According to reports, the incident is being labelled a murder-suicide, Mr Little suspected to have deliberately driven the car off the wharf and into 30-metre-deep water.

In an interview with the Adelaide Advertiser, Mr Little’s family revealed that he had been struggling with mental health issues for the past three years.

“We had noticed a change,” said Sue, Mr Little’s mother.

“We tried to help him, we all did. But you can’t help somebody who can’t help himself.”

The local community has rushed to the support of the boys’ mother Melissa Little.

“Our hearts go out to Mel. I wouldn’t want anyone to be in the position she’s in at the moment,” Lincoln South Football Club president Brenton Dennis told the ABC.

“It’s just numbed the whole community. It’s just tragic and our hearts are with them and they’re in our thoughts and our prayers.”

Local Mayor Bruce Green said the incident had resulted in the most challenging day of his working life.

“This has taken everyone by surprise. It’s a dreadful thing,” he said.

“People are really trying to understand how this tragic event could have occurred.

The site of the tragedy was turned into a memorial on Tuesday with people turning out to the wharf to lay flowers and toys in memory of the two boys.

“I just ask everyone to give the families all their love and respect and space that they need at this time,” said Mr Dennis.

“I also ask everyone that you think about how our lives are at the moment and just put ourselves in their position and let’s all make a promise to never let this happen again.”

An inquest will be taking place at a later date.

If you, or someone you know, are in need of support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald