A 41-year-old man from Eastbourne, East Sussex, has died after a large sign fell at a Christian festival in West Sussex. The incident occurred at the Big Church Festival off Washington Road near Steyning on Friday afternoon, where six other people were also injured.
Eyewitness Fred Abbott, from Morden, south London, told the Daily Mail he was left “shaken” by the incident. He described hearing “a massive crack and bang” before rushing to help lift the sign with around 30 to 50 other people.
Witness describes scene
Abbott said: “We were by Tom's Stage in the Field of Fun, about 20 metres away from where this massive wooden sign was. We heard this massive crack and bang, and me and my friend ran over. There were around 30 to 50 people, including me and my friend, picking up this sign. It read: ‘Everything's Unmissable’.”
“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 added.
The man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Sussex Police said.
Police and organisers respond
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. At least six other people were also injured during this incident and have been taken to hospital for treatment.”
In a post on Instagram shortly after 5.30pm, organisers told attendees that Friday’s show had been cancelled and all day visitors “must leave the site now”. Later, organisers said they had decided to cancel the rest of the festival, which had been set to run until Sunday.
A Big Church Festival spokesperson said in a statement on social media: “We are devastated by the serious incident that took place at Big Church Festival 2026 today, in which a sign fell, injuring at least seven people, one of whom tragically lost their life. First and foremost, all of our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their families and friends, and everyone who witnessed what happened. Following today’s incident, we have made the decision to bring Big Church Festival 2026 to a close.”
Investigation underway
Officers remained at the scene on Friday night as police urged people to avoid the area. The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and the local authority, Sussex Police confirmed.
McDonagh added: “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 exactly what happened. 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.”
Anyone with information which could help police is asked to report it online or call 101 and quote Operation Igloo.
