Authorities have recovered the body of a 69-year old Napranum man swept away by a fast-flowing river in far north Queensland.

Two men travelling south on the Peninsula Development Road drove across a causeway at Archer River, north of Coen at around 5:30pm on Friday afternoon.

The vehicle was swept downstream but one of the occupants managed to escape, swimming to the bank of the river.

Police say the incident wasn't reported to officers until 3.30pm on Saturday and a search started immediately for the car's missing occupant.

Police and emergency services were unsuccessful locating the man and vehicle over the weekend and the Queensland Diving Unit was deployed from Brisbane to the search site on Monday.

Divers and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Swift Water Rescue team arrived at the site on Tuesday afternoon.

Sergeant Cary Coolican said divers had found the submerged four-wheel drive by 4:30pm.

"Upon arriving they commenced an assessment of the waterways due to the fast flowing river," Sgt Coolican said.

"Divers entered the water, located the submerged vehicle and the man was located.

"The vehicle and the man's body have been recovered and are en route to Weipa.

"Police are now required to complete a coronial investigation for the coroner."