POOL DELIVERS ELECTRIC SHOCK; MAN, 31, DIES.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer

A 31-year-old man died Sunday after rescuing his niece from a backyard swimming pool that was charged with electricity, police said.

Several people were swimming in the pool when a submerged light fixture in the pool became dislodged, causing an electrical current to flow into the water, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Phil Smith said.

Brian McGahan, 31, noticed his 14-year-old niece was in trouble and jumped in to help her. He died a short time later.

``The volume of electricity wasn't terribly strong in the pool, so we're not sure of the cause of death yet,'' Smith said.

``The electricity may have played a factor, but it is being listed as an accidental drowning.''

The incident happened about 3 p.m. in the 13000 block of Gridley Street, when the man jumped into the pool, said Los Angeles City Fire spokesman Bob Collis.

Noticing McGahan was also in trouble, his wife dived into the deep end of the pool to rescue him and a neighbor administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived, Collis said.

The wife told paramedics she suffered an electrical shock while in the water. Both adults and the girl were taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where McGahan died, Collis said.

The LAPD Foothill Station was investigating the accident, according to LAPD spokesman Don Cox.

Collis said paramedics who came to the home found a lawn chair at the bottom of the pool.