A man has died after falling into his father’s grave at a cemetery in Brazil when the gravestone he was sitting on reportedly gave way.
The incident happened shortly after 2.30pm on Wednesday at Sao Jose Municipal Cemetery in Linhares, Espirito Santo, northern Brazil, Metro UK reported on Thursday.
The man, believed to be around 40, had visited his father’s grave before attending the burial of a friend who died in a traffic accident the previous day.
Gravedigger Nazare Bravin said the man arrived, asked where his friend would be buried, parked his motorcycle and walked to his father’s grave. He reportedly sat on the gravestone before it collapsed beneath him.
Other visitors rushed to help after hearing a loud noise. An ambulance was called, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Although his name has not been made public, he was identified locally as the husband of a worker with the Linhares municipal council. Police were investigating the circumstances surrounding his death on Thursday.
The Linhares Council expressed sympathy to his family and friends.
“We regret the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon at Sao Jose Cemetery in the Interlagos neighbourhood and express our solidarity with the family and friends at this time of grief,” the council said.
It said cemetery staff contacted the Samu ambulance service and fire brigade, but the man could not be saved.
The council urged visitors to be careful ahead of the All Souls’ Day holiday. It also said the local authority handles public cemetery administration, cleaning and maintenance, while families are responsible for individual graves and tombs.
