Two fall into grave during SAfrica funeral

A church minister, the undertaker and several pallbearers have fallen into a grave during the funeral of a young man in the town of Bethlehem, in central South Africa, local media reports.

A witness told the Afrikaans newspaper Volksblad that shortly after the coffin was lowered into the ground, a wooden plank on the edge of the burial pit snapped, sending the undertaker tumbling into the grave.

The minister then slipped and fell into the grave,followed by several pallbearers.

"The undertaker landed on the coffin and bruised his arm," said the unnamed witness. "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 mourners.