Man Dies, Six Injured After Sign Collapse at Big Church Festival
West Sussex event cancelled as police investigate fatal incident at Wiston Estate.
Carla Rooney
A man died and six others were injured after a sign fell at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex.
Police responded to the scene; emergency services pronounced the man deceased.
Four injured individuals received transport to local hospitals; two sustained more serious injuries.
The festival, scheduled to run until Sunday, ceased operations following the tragedy.
Sussex Police launched an investigation, reporting the incident to both the Health and Safety Executive and the local authority.
A strong gust of wind reportedly toppled the sign, which bore the inscription 'Everything’s Unmissable'.
Eyewitness Fred Abbott recounted the immediate aftermath, stating: "We heard this massive crack and bang, and me and my friend ran over."
We heard this massive crack and bang, and me and my friend ran over.
Abbott further detailed the scene: "There were around 30 to 50 people, including me and my friend, picking up this sign. It read: ‘Everything’s Unmissable’."
The Met Office had issued warnings for windy conditions across the Bank Holiday weekend.
Wind speeds reportedly reached up to 27mph in Shoreham, West Sussex.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh acknowledged the profound distress caused, stating: "I recognize 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."
McDonagh confirmed thousands attended the festival and urged anyone with information or relevant video footage to come forward.
Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally offered prayers for those affected, stating: "I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve. I pray for those receiving treatment, and the healthcare workers looking after them."
I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve. I pray for those receiving treatment, and the healthcare workers looking after them. And I pray too for the other festival goers, staff and event organizers as they come to terms with these tragic events. May the God of comfort and healing be with them all.
Mullally continued: "And I pray too for the other festival goers, staff and event organizers as they come to terms with these tragic events. May the God of comfort and healing be with them all."
ParentFuel, an organization with attendees at the festival, described the event as a "freak accident"; the group noted their people were devastated but safe.
The organization also claimed the BCF team handled the situation well, stating: "Life is so precious and so so short. This weekend brought that ever closer for us for us all."
Ralph Scrutton observed the mood across the campsite as "understandably subdued and melancholy"; attendees reflected on the previous day's events.
The Big Church Festival, established in 2009 as the UK's largest Christian festival, now faces intense scrutiny.
The investigation into the sign's collapse continues.