A 41-year-old man has died and at least six other people have been injured after a large sign fell at Big Church Festival 2026 in West Sussex, forcing organisers to cancel the remainder of the event.
Sussex Police said emergency services were called at about 3:38pm BST on Friday, August 28, following reports that a large sign had fallen at Wiston Park, near Steyning. The man, from Eastbourne, was pronounced dead at the scene and his next of kin have been informed.
At least six other people were taken to hospital. The cause of the sign’s collapse has not been established, with police and safety authorities now investigating what happened.
What happened at Big Church Festival?
The incident happened on the opening day of Big Church Festival 2026. Festival-goer Theo Saville described the structure involved as a large wooden sign near the entrance to a tented area.
Emergency services responded to the site, with South East Coast Ambulance Service deploying crews and specialist resources.
Festival organisers said at least seven people were injured in the incident, including the man who died. Police have confirmed that at least six other people were taken to hospital but have not released further details about their conditions.
A man has died and at least six others are injured following the tragic incident. #DailyExpress https://t.co/O7Xmwk77XJ pic.twitter.com/DsPAXRlYRV
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) August 29, 2026
Why was Big Church Festival cancelled?
Friday’s programme was initially stopped following the emergency before organisers decided to bring the entire 2026 festival to a close.
The event had been due to continue until Sunday, August 30. Organisers said their priorities were supporting those affected and helping people leave the site safely.
Campers were instructed to make their way home. The cancellation means visitors who travelled to West Sussex for the August bank holiday weekend will miss the remaining programme.
Will Big Church Festival tickets be refunded?
Final refund arrangements have not yet been announced. Organisers have said ticket holders will be contacted when further information becomes available.
People with bookings should therefore monitor the email address used to purchase their tickets and official festival communications rather than relying on unofficial social-media claims.
What caused the sign to fall?
This remains the biggest unanswered question. Sussex Police is working with partner organisations to establish the circumstances, while the Health and Safety Executive and local authority have also been informed.
Reports noted winds of up to 27mph around five miles away in Shoreham on Friday. However, investigators have not said wind caused the sign to fall. There has also been no official finding linking the collapse to the structure’s installation or any other specific factor.
Readers can check the latest Sussex Police update on the Big Church Festival incident for confirmed developments.
Police appeal for videos and witnesses
With thousands of people attending the festival, investigators are asking witnesses to come forward and want to hear from anyone with photographs or video footage that could help establish what happened.
Information can be submitted to Sussex Police online or by calling 101 and quoting Operation Igloo.
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A283 affected by emergency response
The incident also disrupted roads around Wiston Park. A section of the A283 between Washington Roundabout and the B2135 Horsham Road was temporarily closed while emergency services responded.
Major emergency incidents can quickly affect travel across the region, as seen when a fatal incident led to the M23 being closed near Gatwick.
What is Big Church Festival?
Founded in 2009, Big Church Festival is an annual Christian music and worship event held at Wiston Estate in the West Sussex countryside. Organisers describe it as the UK’s biggest Christian festival.
The 2026 gathering was scheduled across the August bank holiday weekend and attracted thousands of visitors before Friday’s fatal incident brought the programme to an early end.
Large outdoor events can also be affected by changing schedules, access arrangements and weather conditions, making official updates important for visitors. Those attending another major weekend event can check the latest Southport Air Show schedule and visitor information before travelling.
What attendees need to know now
Festival-goers should retain any relevant original photographs or videos and provide them to police if they could assist the investigation. Ticket holders should wait for direct information from organisers about refunds.
The confirmed position is that one man has died and at least six other people were taken to hospital. The festival has been cancelled, while the cause of the sign’s collapse remains under investigation.
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