Minister, Undertaker Fall Into Grave During Funeral

A church minister, a funeral undertaker and several pall bearers reportedly fell into a grave in the town of Bethlehem, in central South Africa.


The incident happened while they were carrying the coffin of young man named Tiaan Prinsloo for burial, Times Live, a South African-based newspaper reports.

The 25-year-old had died in December, apparently from a blood clot in the heart.

According to the report, shortly after the coffin was lowered into the ground, a wooden plank placed over the grave collapsed, sending the undertaker tumbling into the grave with the coffin on top of him, while the church minister and “four or five” pall bearers fell onto the coffin.

A witness, who asked for anonymity, said: “The undertaker landed on the coffin and bruised his arm. Then the minister fell on top of the undertaker.
 

“He was quickly followed by four or five of the pallbearers.” They were helped out of the grave by other mourners.

The undertaker, Deon Stander, who confirmed the incident, said he had hurt his arm and kneecap when he fell. However, he refused to give more details.

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