MELAKA: A sleeping driver caused his car to sink into the Straits of Malacca after high tide swept up the vehicle.

Melaka Tengah OCPD Christopher Patit said the 38-year-old foreign driver claimed he forgot to engage the car's handbrake before realising his car was in the sea when he woke up at 5am today.

He said the man had dozed off when he parked his car at the beachfront of Klebang here, hours before the high tide swallowed his car.

"The driver was unharmed in the incident and managed to get out of his vehicle without injuries," he said.

ACP Christopher Patit said the man who manages a grocery store also claimed he had no money to engage a tow truck to retrieve his vehicle from the sea.

He said checks showed the foreigner owned the car and had a valid driving licence.

"The foreigner also had all related documents to stay in the country," he said.

ACP Christopher Patit said Melaka Historic City Council managed to tow out the vehicle.

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