Mattawa man dies in tractor accident near irrigation canal

Mattawa, WA – A 49-year-old Mattawa resident died on Friday, September 4, 2026, in a tragic farm tractor accident. The incident occurred in the 23000 block of Road K-Southwest at approximately 2:20 p.m., according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators reported that Ricardo Santos Estrada was operating a tractor along a road bordering an irrigation canal. It appears that the tractor was positioned too close to the edge of the embankment, which gave way under the weight of the machinery. This caused the tractor to slide into the canal, trapping Estrada beneath it.

Emergency personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, but Estrada was unfortunately pronounced dead at the location. His remains have been placed in the custody of Coroner Craig Morrison, who has scheduled an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

Authorities have confirmed that Estrada's family has been notified of the tragedy. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. The incident remains a somber reminder of the dangers associated with heavy machinery operations on unstable ground.

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