Police in East Brunswick say a mother and grandfather who drowned in their backyard pool a week ago were trying to rescue an 8-year-old girl who had fallen in.

According to police, Bharat Patel, 62, his 33-year-old daughter-in-law Nisha Patel and her 8-year-old daughter were found unresponsive on the afternoon of June 22 in the above-ground pool by police responding to a 911 call from neighbors who heard screams.

Reports say Lt. Frank Sutter said the young girl had fallen into the pool, and her grandfather and mother were trying to save her when they too began to struggle and ultimately drowned.

AP wire services helped contribute to this report.