A Brazilian actor has died after accidentally hanging himself while reenacting the death of Judas Iscariot in an Easter play, it was reported today.

Tiago Klimeck, 27, had been playing the part of Judas in a Passion of Christ theatrical performance in the town of Itarare, in the state of Sao Paulo, south east Brazil.

While acting the scene in which Judas commits suicide after betraying Jesus, he was supposed to 'hang himself' from a rope then pretend to be dead.

But the safety vest the actor was using under is robe is believed to have risen up around his neck, strangling him.

Mr Klimeck was left dangling for four minutes until horrified performers and spectators realised it wasn't part of his performance and rushed to his aid.

Numerous photographs of Mr Klimeck's motionless body were taken and are circulating online. Huffington Post UK has seen the images but will not be publishing them.

He remained in a critical condition in hospital for 17 days after the accident during the Good Friday open-air performance.

Scans revealed that the incident caused cerebral anoxia due to the complete lack of oxygen to the brain. The actor's life support machine was finally switched off on Sunday afternoon.

The incident is being investigated by the local police.