US pastor electrocuted as he steps in baptism pool

A TEXAN pastor was killed in his church after grabbing a microphone while standing in the baptismal water.

The Rev Kyle Lake, 33, was at University Baptist Church, Waco, when he was electrocuted on Sunday morning, said Jamie Dudley, a church business administrator.

Mr Lake was stepping into the baptistery when he reached out to adjust a microphone, which produced an electric shock, said Ben Dudley, the church's community pastor.

Doctors in the congregation rushed to help Mr Lake. He was taken by ambulance to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

The woman whom Mr Lake was baptising apparently had not stepped into the water.

Pastors at University Baptist Church routinely use a microphone during baptisms to make themselves heard clearly.

About 800 people were at the service, which was larger than normal because it was homecoming weekend at nearby Baylor University.