A Brazilian man died in a bizarre cemetery accident after falling into his father’s grave while attending a friend’s funeral, according to local reports.
Adilson Marsaro, 48, was at São José Municipal Cemetery in Linhares on Wednesday for the funeral of an acquaintance who had died in a traffic accident, Brazilian newspaper O Globo reported.
According to SUR, Marsaro stepped away from the funeral gathering and sat on his father’s concrete tomb. The structure suddenly gave way, sending him into the open grave beneath it.
The collapse produced a loud sound that startled mourners nearby. Emergency services were called to the cemetery, reports said.
However, rescuers found Marsaro dead when they reached the scene.
CHECK THIS OUT: Four Airlifted After Vehicle Is Trapped in Raging Arizona Flood
Gravedigger Nazaré Bravin told O Globo that Marsaro had greeted people at his friend’s funeral before leaving his motorcycle and helmet near the gravesite. He then walked over to his father’s tomb.
Marsaro was buried the next day at the same cemetery where the fatal accident occurred.
Linhares City Hall has urged visitors to take “extra precautions” at São José Cemetery, which is the final resting place of nearly 18,000 people, as Brazil’s Day of the Dead holiday approaches.
“The Municipality of Linhares regrets what happened this Wednesday afternoon (21), at the São José Cemetery, in the Interlagos neighborhood, and expresses its solidarity with family and friends at this time of grief,” the city said in a statement to A Gazeta.
“With the approach of the Day of the Dead holiday, an increase in traffic is expected at the city’s cemeteries. Therefore, the city government is reinforcing the importance of taking extra precautions during visits,” the statement continued. Officials also noted that families are responsible for maintaining their loved ones’ tombs.
Brazil’s Civil Police told Midiamax that the investigation into Marsaro’s death remains ongoing.
