Falling crucifix kills Ecuador priest during livestreamed church service

A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after he was fatally crushed by a falling crucifix while live-streaming evening mass.

The shocking accident occurred on Saturday at the Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, some 265km southwest of the capital.

Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was broadcasting the event live from his social media accounts when the mounted cross on the wall behind him fell suddenly, around 30 minutes into the stream.

Graphic footage of the mass, which circulated widely on social media before it was taken down, showed a heavy crucifix hanging behind the altar detaching and falling onto the back of the priest’s head.

The priest was facing the congregation at the time and did not appear to see it fall. The video showed he did not stand up again after being struck.

The priest was knocked below the altar and out of view, but recorded horrified worshippers shouting out and rushing to his aid.

“Father, Father! Call an ambulance!” people could be heard shouting just before the broadcast cut out. Others could be seen rushing towards the altar to help the stricken cleric.

Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, but first responders were unable to revive the priest. The video of the livestream was later taken down, NBC News reported.

The archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death on Sunday, writing that Sanchez “has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory”.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen,” they wrote in a statement in Latin published on social media.

The archdiocese did not say what had caused the crucifix to fall or whether there would be an investigation.

It was unclear whether he was killed instantly or died later from injuries.

Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries, according to the Associated Press.

A Eucharist in his memory was scheduled for Sunday evening, the archdiocese said.

Local authorities were yet to comment on the incident, and it was not clear what caused the crucifix to fall.

In 2014, a 21-year old man died and his friend was injured after they were crushed by a crucifix erected in honour of Pope John Paul II in northern Italy. The same year, a mother of two died in Chicago, US, after a stone gargoyle fell three stories from an old church, striking her as she was taking a walk with her fiancé.