Empty car floating down LA River in Studio City

Crews checked a car being washed down the raging Los Angeles River amid torrential rain Wednesday morning in Studio City, but it turned out to be empty, authorities said.

The car was seen being washed down the river near Sherman Way about 7 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters checked the vehicle and searched for an hour on the ground and from the air but located no victims, LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said.

The vehicle was not seen entering the water and might have been in the river for an extended period of time, she added.