Three family members electrocuted.

[Patriot]

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A downed power line electrocuted a man outside his Southern California home on Friday, then killed his wife and son as the two each attempted rescue in the family's backyard, authorities said.

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.

The firefighters had been called to the scene at 5:45 a.m. by a 17-year-old girl who said her parents and brother had been electrocuted and were lying in the backyard, Serrano said.

"It's absolutely a tragic story," 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 with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Serrano said it was unclear why the line fell. However, strong winds were sweeping through parts of Southern California on Friday and the National Weather Service said some gusts could reach 50 mph in the area.

Southern California Edison representatives said the utility was still investigating.

The fallen line set small grass fires in the front and back yards, which were out by the time firefighters arrived, Serrano said.

Frank Vego, the 48-year-old brother of the oldest victim, claimed it was the second time power lines had fallen and set fires at the house.

"It does appear to me that something wasn't quite right," he said. "This is 2011, and families aren't supposed to be killed early in the morning by falling power lines."

Vincent Haydel, a Southern California Edison spokesman, said a relative told him that a power line went down in the neighborhood several years ago but he had no details and the company would have to investigate.

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.

[BigClive]

That's an extremely sad accident. I wonder if the 17 year old girl is the only one left in the family.