Downed power line kills 3 in California
Source: Agencies |
January 16, 2011, Sunday
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A mother, father and their son were electrocuted to death in their backyard in California after one touched a downed power line and the other two tried rescues, a fire department spokesman said.
Firefighters were called to the San Bernardino home early on Friday by a 17-year-old girl who said her parents and brother had been electrocuted and were lying in the backyard, fire spokesman Jason Serrano said.
Firefighters saw three bodies in contact with an arcing 12,000-volt electrical line in the backyard but it was too dangerous to free them, Serrano said.
A utility company finally cut the power and coroner's officials were called.
Serrano said it was unclear why the line fell.
However, strong winds were sweeping through the area on Friday and the National Weather Service said some gusts may have reached 80 kilometers per hour.
The fallen line set small grass fires in the front and back yards, which were out by the time firefighters arrived, Serrano said.
The victims were identified as Steven Vego, 43; his wife, Sharon, 42, and their son, 21-year-old Jonathan Cole, according to Cindy Bachman, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
The father heard a "pop," went outside and was trying to douse the backyard fire when he touched the power line, which he may not have noticed, Serrano said.
"The mother went out to assist him and she, too, became a victim," he added.
Their 21-year-old was electrocuted when he tried to pull his parents free.
"It's absolutely a tragic story. Fortunately, the 17-year-old did not run out and do the same thing," Serrano said.
Her 10-year-old brother was in the home and was not harmed, he said.
The dead were lying in the grass in their bedclothes. The power line was about 3 meters from the rear of the home.
Firefighters were called to the San Bernardino home early on Friday by a 17-year-old girl who said her parents and brother had been electrocuted and were lying in the backyard, fire spokesman Jason Serrano said.
Firefighters saw three bodies in contact with an arcing 12,000-volt electrical line in the backyard but it was too dangerous to free them, Serrano said.
A utility company finally cut the power and coroner's officials were called.
Serrano said it was unclear why the line fell.
However, strong winds were sweeping through the area on Friday and the National Weather Service said some gusts may have reached 80 kilometers per hour.
The fallen line set small grass fires in the front and back yards, which were out by the time firefighters arrived, Serrano said.
The victims were identified as Steven Vego, 43; his wife, Sharon, 42, and their son, 21-year-old Jonathan Cole, according to Cindy Bachman, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
The father heard a "pop," went outside and was trying to douse the backyard fire when he touched the power line, which he may not have noticed, Serrano said.
"The mother went out to assist him and she, too, became a victim," he added.
Their 21-year-old was electrocuted when he tried to pull his parents free.
"It's absolutely a tragic story. Fortunately, the 17-year-old did not run out and do the same thing," Serrano said.
Her 10-year-old brother was in the home and was not harmed, he said.
The dead were lying in the grass in their bedclothes. The power line was about 3 meters from the rear of the home.
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