Harvard’s Water Polo Coach, Changing Bulbs, Suffers Electric Shock

Harvard University water polo coach Christopher Hafferty suffered a severe electric shock Wednesday while changing light bulbs near the university’s pool, officials said.

Hafferty, who was rescued by the fire department, was admitted for observation to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, a hospital spokeswoman said. His condition was not immediately available.

Hafferty, also the manager of Blodgett Pool, had been working in a space between the ceiling and the roof of the building when he was knocked out by an electric shock, a Harvard spokeswoman said.

His assistant called for help. The cause of the accident was not known.

“We went down, and his assistant stayed by his side and kept him stabilized on the catwalk where they were walking,” said Pat Miller, Harvard’s associate athletic director. “The emergency medical team arrived and helped to stabilize him.

“After that, the fire department arrived to help figure out how to remove him from the position. He was in a space that was above the ceiling and below the ribs of the building. It was determined that to take him out through the roof was the best way to remove him, and that’s what they did.”

Hafferty recovered consciousness during the rescue operation.