Police divers have been called in after a car was spotted in the Tees near Yarm.
The vehicle is believed to have been driven down steps behind the town's Somerfield supermarket and into the river.
A spokesman for Cleveland Police said it was not known if anyone was inside the vehicle, which has not been identified.
Frogmen have been called to the scene and will be diving into the waters - which are 20 ft deep - to investigate shortly.
Full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.
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