Three passengers were the car

[Tofu]

Hello Alan, Mister Micawber, Beeesneees, Mordant, Esl_Expert and other native English speakers,

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http://tinyurl.com/287u4kr
Three passengers were the car - a woman in the front seat and two children, aged eight and 12, in the back, police said.
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Isn't "in the car" correct?

[Mister Micawber]

Yes; there is a typographical error. Typos are not uncommon in newspapers because of the speed with which they must be written, composed and published.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Tofu]

Thank you, MM.