Port Dickson police chief Maslan Udin said a distress call was received at 11.24am.

The parents, both in their 40s, and their children had stopped to rest and fish when their Nissan Teana suddenly moved into the river.

“The father was outside the car while the mother was rescued by members of the public. The two children went under with the vehicle and were later pulled out at 1.24pm and 1.47pm, but were confirmed dead at the scene,” Bernama reported him as saying.

Maslan said the siblings were found in the front passenger seats.

He said the car, which was submerged four metres deep, was recovered in an operation, and may have suffered a technical problem despite the engine being switched off.

The rescue operation involved over 30 personnel from the fire and rescue department, health ministry and police.

The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1957 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving, while post-mortems will be conducted tomorrow at Port Dickson Hospital.