A man rushed to help trapped festival goers after a large metal sign crashed down at Big Church Festival in West Sussex, an incident that left one person dead.
Sign falls on crowd at Wiston Estate
Police and ambulance crews were called to the event at Wiston Estate on Friday August 28 after the “large metal beam” fell onto a group of people, with one man tragically dying.
Author Andrew Ollerton, who was due to speak at the festival, described how he and his wife responded after the structure came down.
“My wife Charlotte and I were walking behind a group of people when a huge sign came crashing down,” said Andrew in an Instagram post. “We rushed with others to lift the sign off them and then administered first aid as best we could until paramedics arrived.”
Event cancelled after tragedy
Festival organisers cancelled the event, which had been set to run from August 28-30.
Andrew added: “I want to thank the incredible team @bigchurchfest who took decisive action in difficult circumstances as well as all the festival goers who stayed calm and handled the news so respectfully.
“I’m sure like me it leaves you feeling perplexed by many questions. In Luke chapter 13 Jesus brings both honest challenge and deep comfort to those facing a similar tragedy in his day.”
Witnesses describe scene
Concern was first raised when the festival’s live stream called GOD TV was cut.
One witness on social media wrote: “A large metal support beam fell on a crowd of people leaving multiple people critically injured.
One festival goer said: “We were in the worship tent and decided to leave to go to the main tent. There was a helicopter landing outside. From what I’ve gathered the worship tent sign has blown over and landed on a few people.”
Seven injured people were treated at the scene by paramedics, with the Met Office earlier warning festival goers of the windy conditions.
Police appeal for information
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.
“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. You can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Igloo.”
