A Philadelphia funeral accident turned a moment of remembrance into a terrifying ordeal when pallbearers unexpectedly fell into an open grave during a burial ceremony.
The unsettling event took place at Greenmount Cemetery in North Philadelphia, as loved ones gathered to say goodbye to Benjamin Aviles. During the service, several pallbearers were lowering the casket onto what appeared to be a wooden platform when it suddenly gave way, dropping them nearly six feet into the muddy grave.
Philadelphia funeral accident caught on video
Video footage, shared by CBS Chicago, captured the harrowing moment as the platform crumbled beneath the pallbearers. The casket crashed down with them, creating panic among onlookers. Screams could be heard as mourners rushed to help those trapped beneath or beside the fallen coffin.
Maribelle Rodriguez, Aviles’ stepdaughter, described the frightening scene: “The casket landed on top of his son, and he lost consciousness. His face was buried in the mud. Everyone was hurt — hands, legs, backs — and we were completely covered in dirt.”
Philadelphia funeral accident raises concerns over safety
The incident has sparked outrage from the grieving family, who blame both Greenmount Cemetery and Rodriguez Funeral Home for unsafe burial conditions. “Everything was shaky and soaked through,” Rodriguez said. “It was unsteady from the start. We believe there should be an apology, maybe even compensation, because the service was disrupted and nothing was done right.”
According to reports from 6ABC News and CBS Chicago, all of the pallbearers suffered injuries but are expected to recover.
This Philadelphia funeral accident has now drawn attention to burial site safety and proper planning during emotional and critical moments.
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Source: www.people.com
