A much-loved former pastor at the West Pembroke Pentecostal Assembly was killed last week along with his wife after their car spun out of control and plunged into a river.

Canadian couple Bernard and Ellen Kirkham, both 76, were driving along Route 105 in Maugerville, New Brunswick last Monday when the car skidded, flipped on its roof and landed upside down in the Saint John River.

The car remained on the surface for several minutes, according to witnesses speaking to The New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, before sinking below the surface and being swept away by the raging current.

Preliminary autopsy reports by the New Brunswick police department last week concluded the couple had drowned ? with eye witnesses confirming they were dazed, bleeding, but still alive before the car sunk below the surface.

Truck driver Ronald Baird told the New Brunswick media how he had been driving in the other direction when the car flipped and crashed through the guard rail.

Swimming across the river in attempt to save them, Mr. Baird said he was only meters away from the car when it sank from view.

Mr. Kirkham came to Bermuda in 1987 to take up the position as pastor at the West Pembroke Pentecostal Church, staying for two years.

Speaking toPentecostal Elder Wayne Scott expressed his "complete shock" at the news, calling Mr. Kirkham "an absolute treasurer".

"He came down to Bermuda in the twilight of his career so to speak as part of a long term ambition to pastor an all-black congregation," he said.

"He was originally meant to stay for one year but enjoyed it so much he stayed on for another. His ministry was incredibly well and he preached up and down the country on a very regular basis. His dexterity and energy were nothing short of phenomenal. As a white man coming down to pastor a black church, we did not know what to expect. But he was delightful ? vibrant and full of life. Both he and his wife were very close and I guess it pleased the Lord to take them together. He will be missed terribly as he was much-loved in Bermuda as well as in Canada."

12 members of the West Pembroke Pentecostal congregation were due to fly to New Brunswick this week to attend the funeral, with a memorial service likely to be held locally upon their return.