Man, 41 dies and at least six injured after large sign falls over at UK festival

A man has died after a large sign fell at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex yesterday afternoon (28 August).

At least six other people have been injured and the Christian event has now been cancelled.

Police were called to the scene at Wiston Park near Steyning at around 3:38pm. And the man, 41, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was pronounced dead.

Sussex Police say his next of kin have been told and are being supported by specialist officers.

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.”

Shortly after 5:30pm on its first day, organisers took to Instagram and told attendees that Friday’s show had been cancelled and that all day visitors ‘must leave the site now’.

And then later, they announced they had decided to cancel the remainder of Big Church Festival. Described as the UK's biggest Christian festival, it had been set to continue on until Sunday.

An attendee told the BBC that a 'large wooden sign' had collapsed near the entrance to the tented area.

Officers remained at the scene last night as the force continued to urge people to avoid the area.

Sussex Police confirmed the incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and local authority.

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 that could help police has been asked to report it online or call 101, quoting 'Operation Igloo'.

Big Church Festival statement

In a public statement updated at 10:23pm on Friday night, the festival said: “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.

“Our immediate priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved and helping those currently at the festival to leave the site safely.

“We will provide further information as quickly as we can through our website and official channels. Please look to these for updates.

“We are working with the emergency services, police and the Health and Safety Executive as they establish the circumstances surrounding today’s incident. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who responded, and to our teams and community for the care they have shown one another.

“Big Church Festival is about bringing people together. Tonight, that community is grieving. Right now, our focus is on those directly affected by what happened today. We are heartbroken.”