SIBU:A 43-year old man is feared drowned after the car he was driving crashed into a metal railing and plunged into the river in front of a hotel here early Friday (May 27) morning.

       The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, in its daily update, said a guest of a hotel who was about to check in, informed the receptionist that he had seen a car being driven at high speed ramming into the metal railing.

       The car subsequently plunged into the river.

       The Sibu Central Station received a distress call at 12.40am Friday and immediately dispatched six fire fighters to the scene.

       "A search and rescue (SAR) operation was mounted but it was called off as it was pitch dark," it said.

       The SAR continued at 6am for the victim and car.