Sibu Central fire and rescue station chief Suna Kahar said divers managed to locate the car at 3pm yesterday and lifted it with a crane before retrieving the body at 4pm.

“The victim was removed from the vehicle but pronounced dead by a medical officer,” he said.

Municipal chairman Ting Ing Horh said he learnt of the tragedy at 8am yesterday morning, revealing that he had only met Ting King Dieng and other councillors yesterday for a cultural festival budget review.

He said Ting’s death was a grave loss to the community. “He was an integral part of the councillors team and was the vice-chairman of the social community development committee,” he said.