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Sign falls at festival
A large sign fell at the Big Church Festival at Wiston Park near Steyning in West Sussex on Friday afternoon, killing a 41-year-old man from Eastbourne and injuring at least six other people.
“called to the Big Church Festival at Wiston Park, near Steyning, at about 15:38 BST”
Sussex Police said officers were called at about 15:38 BST to the incident at the festival in Washington Road, and at least six people were taken to hospital for treatment.
The BBC reported that festival organisers said the event would be brought to a close after the incident, and a festival-goer, Theo Saville, described a "large wooden sign" collapsing near the entrance to a tented area.
Sky News said the festival was due to run until Sunday, but organisers cancelled the whole festival after the sign fall, and Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said at least six other people had been taken to hospital.
Police urge information
Sussex Police urged anyone with information or relevant video footage to come forward, with Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh saying, "You can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Igloo."
The BBC also quoted McDonagh saying he recognised the "immense distress this will have caused people at the festival" as police worked to establish what happened at the site.
MyLondon reported that emergency services were called just after 3.30pm and that South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed six individuals were receiving treatment, while a spokesman said critical care paramedics and specialist response teams were on scene.
MyLondon further said a Premier Christian News journalist reported attendees were prevented from entering the site and that they had been told the site was on lockdown, with people not allowed to get in or out.
Festival ends, investigations
Organisers said the festival was paused and then brought to a close after the sign fall, telling attendees on social media that "all day visitors must leave the site now" and that the decision was made to end Big Church Festival 2026.
“"all day visitors must leave the site now"”
Sky News said the incident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive and the local authority, and police remained at the scene on Friday night.
The BBC reported that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authority have been informed, while Sussex Police said they were working with partners to establish exactly what happened.
The Guardian quoted the festival statement saying, "Following today’s incident, we have made the decision to bring Big Church festival 2026 to a close," as officers advised people to avoid the area.