A 61-year-old man named Robert Smith tragically lost his life during a baptism rite in Great Britain, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
The ceremony took place in the garden of a private residence where an inflatable pool had been set up. The rite was officiated by 48-year-old Reverend Sheryl Bartley, who is affiliated with the Life Changing Ministries church.
Initial findings suggest the man drowned as he was submerged in the water. Paramedics who were dispatched to the scene were unable to revive him.
Investigators suspect that carelessness during the performance of the ritual might have led to the fatality. Bartley is scheduled to face trial, with the initial court hearing set for May 14th.
It is known that Smith, originally from Jamaica, relocated to the UK approximately 25 years prior. He is survived by seven grandchildren. While he had undergone baptism before, he had decided to repeat the ceremony.
The denomination to which the pastor belongs is part of the Apostolic movement—a branch of Christianity that acknowledges the contemporary authority of religious leaders endowed with spiritual capabilities.
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