US pallbearers fall into grave during botched burial

The pallbearers fell into the grave. Photo / 6 Action News

• Pallbearers fell into an open grave in Philadelphia when a wooden platform collapsed.
• Benjamin Aviles’ son was injured, with the casket landing on him, knocking him unconscious.
• The family blames Greenmount Cemetery and Rodriguez Funeral Home, calling the platform ‘wobbly’.

Video has captured the horrific moment the ground under a group of pallbearers gave way – and sent them tumbling into an open grave alongside the coffin.

The botched burial took place in the United States city of Philadelphia.

Family and friends of Benjamin Aviles were preparing to lay their loved one to rest on March 21 when a wooden platform above the grave gave way.

The pallbearers were all injured as they fell in, Aviles’ stepdaughter, Maribelle Rodriguez, told 6 Action News.

The pallbearers fell into the grave. Photo / 6 Action News

The dead man’s son suffered the worst.

“The casket lay on top of him, and he was out like a light with his face in the mud,” Rodriguez said.

The family blame Greenmount Cemetery and the Rodriguez Funeral home for what happened, saying the platform was “wobbly”.

“The whole thing was trembling,” Rodriguez said.

“It was just a horrible incident that happened at a bad moment.”