Man Killed By Mother-In-Law's Gravestone

A 74-year-old man has died after his mother-in-law's gravestone fell on him.

Stephen Woytack was kneeling next to the grave marker when the top portion toppled on to his head, killing him, police in northeastern Pennsylvania said.

He had been helping his wife tie a cross around the stone at St Joseph's Cemetery in Throop on Monday morning when it fell.

The cemetery's caretaker told WNEP-TV the couple came to visit several times during the year, particularly at this time to decorate the grave for Easter.

"They tie a cross to it every year, the both of them," Ed Kubilus said.

"And after they're done tying the cross to it, they stand there, say prayers, and then they leave."

Mr Kubilus said some headstones become unstable this time of year as the ground begins to thaw, which causes the bases to sink slightly.

He added the Woytacks had just recently moved their grave plots closer to the mother-in-law's burial site.