Phnom Penh  - Two men were beaten up after their car crashed into a river of sewerage in the capital Phnom Penh, local media reported Friday.

The two occupants of the car were "deeply drunk", the Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported, when the driver lost control of the vehicle which then plunged into the open sewer that runs alongside the road.

When helpful local residents rushed to their aid, the driver pulled out his gun and threatened the crowd of would-be rescuers.

That angered the residents who set about the two men with sticks and beat them up before calling an ambulance and dispersing. (dpa)