San Bernardino Electrocutions: 3 Family Members Die in Freak Electrocution
In San Bernardino, California, a downed power line electrocuted a man outside his Southern California home on Friday, January 14, then killed his wife and son as the two each attempted rescue in the family's backyard.
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San Bernardino firefighters arrived to find three bodies in contact with an arcing 12,000-volt electrical line in the backyard, but it was too dangerous to free them, fire spokesman Jason Serrano said. A utility company finally cut the power and coroner's officials were called.
Authorities said the father, Steven Vego, had heard a "pop" early Friday, went outside and was trying to douse the backyard fire when he touched the power line, which he may not have noticed. "The mother went out to assist him and she, too, became a victim," Serrano added. The mother was found lying on top of her 21-year-old son who also had been electrocuted, said San Bernardino Fire Captain Michael Bilheimer. The teenage girl and another brother, 10, were inside the home and were not harmed, authorities said.
"This is an unprecedented event and obviously tragic," Bilheimer 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 with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health and Public Utilities Commission were also both investigating.
Reported by Amy Taxin, Huffington Post
Associated Press Writer Robert Jablon contributed to this report from Los Angeles.
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