Big Church Festival Cancelled After Falling Sign Kills Man in West Sussex

A 41-year-old man died and at least six other people sustained injuries after a large sign collapsed at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex on Friday afternoon. Sussex Police confirmed the fatality at the scene in Wiston Park near Steyning, prompting organizers to cancel the remainder of the bank holiday weekend event.

Emergency services rushed to the festival site on Washington Road at approximately 15:38 BST on Friday following reports that a large sign had fallen into a crowd of attendees. The incident unfolded as gusty weather swept through the region during the opening day of the annual Christian gathering.

Emergency Response and Hospitalization at Wiston Park

South East Coast Ambulance Service dispatched multiple resources to the park, including ambulance crews, critical care paramedics, and specialist response teams. Authorities confirmed that at least six individuals received immediate medical treatment at the scene before being transported to hospital. A 41-year-old man from Eastbourne, however, was pronounced dead at the location.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a large wooden sign topple near the entrance of a tented area. One festivalgoer noted that the structure appeared to collapse in the direction of the wind. Meteorological data from the Met Office indicated that wind speeds reached up to 27mph in nearby Shoreham on Friday afternoon.

Festival Cancellation and Immediate Site Lockdown

In the wake of the tragedy, event organizers initially paused activities before announcing that the entire festival would be brought to a close. Day visitors received instructions to leave the grounds immediately, while campers were advised to return to their tents and await further updates.

Journalists and attendees on site reported that emergency vehicles clogged access routes and that portions of the venue were placed under restrictions as police secured the area.

Official Statements and Ongoing Police Inquiries

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh of Sussex Police addressed the unfolding situation on Friday evening, emphasizing that investigators are working alongside partner agencies to determine the exact sequence of events.

Big Church Festival Cancelled After Falling Sign Kills Man in West Sussex — Photo: ca.news.yahoo.com

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. I recognise the immense distress this will have caused people at the festival, and we are working with a number of partners as we seek to establish what happened.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh, Sussex Police

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the collapse or captured relevant video footage to assist with the inquiry. Officers urged the public to submit details online or call authorities directly.

“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.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh, Sussex Police

Wider Reaction and Regulatory Notification

Organizers released a formal statement expressing devastation over the loss of life and injuries among their attendees. The Health and Safety Executive and the local authority have both been formally notified of the incident, and investigators remain stationed at the West Sussex estate as inquiries continue.