Minivan recovered after falling off Newport Harbor ferry; 4 rescued

A salvage crew member watches while the rear bumper of a Dodge minivan breaks the surface in Newport Harbor near Balboa Island after the vehicle, with passengers inside, was accidentally pushed off the end of the Balboa Ferry. Good Samaritans rescued a family of tourists, and no injuries were reported. Several hours later, divers from the Orange County Sheriff's Department secured a harness around the submerged vehicle, and crews used a fixed-boom barge to lift it from the water.

A salvage crew member watches while the rear bumper of a Dodge minivan breaks the surface in Newport Harbor near Balboa Island after the vehicle, with passengers inside, was accidentally pushed off the end of the Balboa Ferry. Good Samaritans rescued a family of tourists, and no injuries were reported. Several hours later, divers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department secured a harness around the submerged vehicle, and crews used a fixed-boom barge to lift it from the water.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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A car sank Friday in Newport Harbor and its four passengers were rescued after another car pushed it off the Balboa Island Ferry, officials said. Bystanders rescued the passengers before Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol deputies arrived at the scene, an eyewitness told the Daily Pilot. Read more

Just a little more

Divers from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department signal others to continue lifting a Dodge minivan from Newport Harbor near Balboa Island after the vehicle was accidentally pushed off the end of the Balboa Ferry.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Almost there

Passengers on a tour boat snap photographs as salvage crews get closer to recovering a Dodge minivan from Newport Harbor near Balboa Island.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Out of the water

Salvage crews lift the Dodge minivan out of the harbor.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Mission completed

Onlookers, Newport Beach police officers and members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol behold the retrieved minivan.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)