A 41-year-old man has died and at least six other people have been injured after a large sign collapsed onto festivalgoers at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex.
The tragedy happened at Wiston Park near Steyning at around 3.38pm on Friday, August 28, as thousands of people gathered for the opening day of the annual Christian music and worship event.
The man, who was from Eastbourne, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Sussex Police said. (Sky News)
At least six other people were taken to hospital following the incident. Emergency crews, including ambulance teams, critical care paramedics and specialist response units, were sent to the festival site.
An aerial view of Big Church Festival where six people have been injured after a sign fell onto a crowd
Emergency services are pictured at the scene of the incident on Friday evening
Paramedics have so far confirmed six patients, although their status is unclear
Large sign collapsed near festival area
Witnesses described seeing a large wooden sign collapse close to the entrance of a tented area.
Festivalgoer Theo Saville told the BBC that the structure fell in the direction of the wind.
The precise cause of the collapse has not yet been established. Sussex Police are working with partner agencies, including the Health and Safety Executive and the local authority, as they investigate what happened. (Sussex News)
The incident occurred during a period of unsettled weather across parts of the UK. The Met Office had warned of windy conditions over the Bank Holiday weekend, while wind speeds of up to 27mph were recorded in nearby Shoreham on Friday afternoon.
However, authorities have not confirmed that wind was responsible for the sign falling.
An aerial view of campers at the festival, which was due to be attended by around 40,000 people
A number of police cars and ambulances can be seen at the festival where a sign collapsed
Ambulances are pictured at the scene of Big Church Festival on Friday
Festival brought to an early end
The incident prompted an immediate emergency response at the festival, with attendees initially being told that the event was being placed under restrictions.
Ticketholders were instructed to return to their accommodation, while day visitors were told to leave the site.
Festival organisers later confirmed that the entire 2026 event would be brought to a close, ending the weekend gathering that had been scheduled to run from August 28 to August 30. (Sky News)
In a statement, Big Church Festival said it was “devastated” by what had happened.
The organisers said the fallen sign had injured at least seven people in total, one of whom died.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their families and friends, and everyone who witnessed what happened,” the statement said.
Police appeal for witnesses
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said officers recognised the enormous distress caused by the incident and were working with several agencies to establish exactly what had happened.
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
McDonagh confirmed that at least six other people had been injured and taken to hospital.
He urged anyone who witnessed the incident or recorded relevant footage to contact police.
“We know there were thousands of people at the festival and we’re urging anyone with any information, or any relevant video footage, to please come forward,” he said.
Information can be provided to Sussex Police online or by calling 101 and quoting Operation Igloo. (Sussex News)
Thousands had gathered for the festival
Big Church Festival is an annual Christian music and worship event that has been running since 2009.
The 2026 festival was expected to attract around 40,000 people to the Wiston Estate over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
The tragedy has brought the event to an abrupt end, with police and partner agencies remaining at the scene as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
The Health and Safety Executive and local authority have been informed as part of the investigation. A section of the A283 was also temporarily closed to allow emergency services to respond. (Sussex News)
For the family of the Eastbourne man who lost his life, and for those injured and everyone who witnessed the incident, what was intended to be a weekend of music, worship and celebration has instead become a devastating tragedy.
