Two men in eastern Newfoundland escaped with their lives Monday after their sport utility vehicle plunged into St. Mary's Bay after swerving to avoid hitting a moose.

RCMP said the men were driving on Route 90 between O'Donnells and Admiral's Beach, when the driver steered to avoid a moose.

"The driver lost control of the vehicle and went over an embankment and travelled into the ocean," Sgt. Mike Ouellette said in a statement Tuesday.

The vehicle came to a rest about 30 metres from the shore before it sank.

Ouellette said the men were able to swim to shore.

RCMP said it hopes to recover the vehicle on Tuesday.