Tractor Plunges Into Water, Kills Local Man

Authorities on Tuesday identified the person who died after the semi-enclosed utility tractor he was driving at the Port of Los Angeles crashed into the water as a resident of Redondo Beach.

The victim was Mark Passaro, 45, said coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

The tractor, which had been pulling a trailer, plunged into the water around 3 p.m. Monday near the Evergreen Container Terminal, 389 E. Terminal Way, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Divers went into the murky water, battling near-zero visibility, and found the man at a depth of about 60 feet, Humphrey said. He was brought aboard a fire boat, but crews were unable to resuscitate him.

A firefighter diver suffered an injury during the rescue attempt and he was treated at a hospital, Humphrey said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash. An autopsy was pending, Winter said.

—City News Service