John Swaney; Veteran Radio Newsman and Attorney

John Swaney, one of the original news anchors at KFWB-AM (930) when the Los Angeles radio station changed its format to all-news in 1968, has died at the age of 57.

Swaney, who was also a lawyer, died Saturday at County-USC Medical Center, his friend, KNX-AM (1070) Executive News Producer Ed Pyle, said Monday. Swaney, who died of cardiac arrest, had been treated there over the past two months for problems related to morbid obesity.

The popular radio announcer-turned-attorney made his own news two months ago when he called 911 seeking help. About 30 firefighters from the department’s Heavy Rescue Team worked two hours to cut through a bedroom wall in Swaney’s North Hollywood apartment to extricate the 600-pound man. Too large for a standard stretcher, Swaney was wheeled out by paramedics on 3-inch-thick sheets of plywood placed on steel pipes, and hoisted by forklift into an ambulance designed for heavy patients.

Considered a pioneer of the all-news format, Swaney spent a decade at the morning anchor desk at KFWB. Prior to that, his graceful, resonant voice was familiar on KFI-AM (640) talk shows.

He left broadcasting to pursue a law degree at Loyola University, and practiced law privately from 1978 until 1986.

Swaney returned to the airwaves from 1987 to 1989 as host of the “Breakfast Edition” talk show on station KGIL-AM (1260). He combined both professions on the show by focusing on legal issues.

Don Barrett wrote in his book, “Los Angeles Radio People,” that a former colleague remembered Swaney as “one of the most professional broadcasters ever . . . a great intellect.”

Over the last decade, Swaney was a partner in a legal service called Attorneys to Go. When lawyers are unable to appear in court, the service provides a substitute attorney.

Swaney is survived by a son, Steven, a student at Northwestern University Law School in Chicago.

Pyle said a memorial service is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth.