An Unscheduled Float Trip

A ride aboard Balboa Island’s iconic ferry took an unexpected turn for the Chu family, on vacation from Taiwan, Jan. 13.After boarding the ferry in a rented minivan, the family of four wound up in Newport Harbor after a Mercedes-Benz behind the minivan reportedly had problems with a malfunctioning accelerator, according to police.

Luckily, the van floated for about five minutes, allowing time for a helpful boater to come up alongside the vehicle and remove the two adults and two children before the van sank to the bottom of the bay.

Newport Beach police officers helped the Chus secure another rental vehicle, and the family was able to continue to their next destination: San Diego.