Story highlights Harvey floodwaters washed van carrying family off road and into river

Authorities found driver clinging onto a branch in river

(CNN) A van carrying six members of the same family has been found in the river where it was last seen Sunday, authorities said.

The bodies of Manuel Saldivar, 84, Belia Saldivar, 81, and their four great-grandchildren were found inside the white cargo van, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

"We have a total six confirmed dead," Gonzalez said in a news conference Wednesday. "Our worst fears have been realized."

The grim discovery was the latest in Harvey's aftermath. The sheriff's department released a photo of the van where it was found partially submerged in Greens Bayou.

We are sad to report we have found a van inundated by Greens Bayou flooding while purportedly carrying 6 family members Sunday. #harvey pic.twitter.com/zFhS3J7fRC — HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) August 30, 2017

Sammy Saldivar, the son of Manuel and Belia Saldivar, was driving the van when it plunged into the river.

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