A devastating incident occurred at the Big Church Festival on Friday afternoon when a large sign collapsed onto festival-goers, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to at least six others. The event, held at the Wiston Estate near Steyning in West Sussex, was immediately halted following the tragedy.
Horrific Scene Unfolds at Big Church Festival
Emergency services were alerted to the scene around 3:38 PM on Friday. A 41-year-old man from Eastbourne was pronounced dead at the location. Six additional individuals sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. The festival, which promotes itself as the UK’s largest annual Christian music gathering, was in its fifth year.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and immediate distress. Fred Abbott, who was attending the festival with his family, recounted hearing a “massive crack and bang” just moments before the sign fell. He and others rushed to help, finding themselves lifting the heavy wooden structure that bore the slogan “Everything’s Unmissable.”
Eyewitness Account of the Collapse
Mr. Abbott, a project manager from Morden, South London, was approximately 20 meters away from the sign when it toppled. “We heard this massive crack and bang, and me and my friend ran over,” he stated. “There were around 30 to 50 people, including me and my friend, picking up this sign. It read: ‘Everything’s Unmissable’.”
Still visibly shaken, Mr. Abbott described the immediate aftermath. “There were five people on the floor and not moving. I had to walk away because there was a man on the floor and he was bleeding from his head and from his mouth.” He noted that his wife and young child had been contemplating purchasing food nearby, a location that would have placed them directly under the sign moments before the incident.
Contributing Factors and Weather Conditions
The exact cause of the sign’s collapse is under investigation, but strong winds are believed to have been a significant factor. Mr. Abbott mentioned that while the weather had been calm earlier in the day, “a strong gust of wind” seemed to be the catalyst. Conditions reportedly worsened throughout the afternoon.
The Met Office had issued warnings for windy weather across the country for the Bank Holiday weekend. Weather data from Friday afternoon indicated wind speeds of up to 27 mph in Shoreham, West Sussex, which is in close proximity to the festival site.
Official Response and Investigation
In a statement released on Friday evening, the Big Church Festival organizers expressed their profound sorrow over the fatality and the injuries sustained. They confirmed the decision to cancel the remainder of the event out of respect for those affected and to allow emergency services to conduct their work.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh acknowledged the tragic nature of the event and extended condolences to the victim’s family and friends. “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” he said. “At least six other people were also injured during this incident and have been taken to hospital for treatment.”
Authorities are appealing to the public for information. “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. You can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Igloo.” The police are working with various partners to establish the precise sequence of events leading to the collapse.
Festival Background and Impact
The Big Church Festival, a non-profit event running since 2009, typically draws large crowds. This year’s event was scheduled to run from August 28 to August 30, with an estimated attendance of around 40,000 people. The incident has cast a dark shadow over what is usually a significant gathering for the Christian community.
Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, expressed his concern regarding the reports from the festival. “Concerned to hear reports of casualties at the Big Church festival at Wiston. There have certainly been strong gusts of wind during the course of this afternoon locally. My thoughts are with all of those impacted at this time and those responding to the incident,” he stated.
A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed their deployment to the scene. “South East Coast Ambulance Service was called to reports of multiple people in need of medical attention at Wiston Park, Steyning shortly after 15.30hrs today (Friday, 28 August 2026). Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams are currently on scene with six patients confirmed so far.”
Conclusion
The tragic loss of life and injuries at the Big Church Festival serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by severe weather conditions at outdoor events. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the sign’s collapse, with authorities urging witnesses to come forward to aid in establishing the facts. The cancellation of the festival has brought an abrupt and somber end to the annual event.
