Christian festival 'devastated' as man dies after sign falls

A man died and seven others were injured when a large sign collapsed at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred at Wiston Park near Steyning around 3:38 p.m. BST, prompting a major emergency response. Sussex Police confirmed the death of a 41-year-old man from Eastbourne in East Sussex.

Organizers of the UK’s largest Christian festival said they were “devastated” by the tragedy. The event, which began on Friday and was scheduled to run through Sunday, was immediately canceled. “We are working with the emergency services, police and the Health and Safety Executive as they establish the circumstances surrounding today’s incident,” a spokesperson said. Four of the six injured attendees were taken to local hospitals, with two in serious condition, according to South East Coast Ambulance Service.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, expressed deep sadness over the incident. “I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve,” she said in a statement. “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 organisers as they come to terms with these tragic events.”

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as emergency vehicles arrived. Judah Martin, a 20-year-old attendee from Kent, said he saw vehicles speeding toward the area before campers were told to return to their tents. “The sign in question was a huge wooden sign on the top of a hill which we walked under earlier that day,” he told BBC News.

The Reverend James Di Castiglione, rector of the parish of Chanctonbury, where the festival is held, called the event a “huge shock to everyone locally.” He said the mood shifted from celebration to confusion and grief. “It’s just the worst lightning bolt of tragic news striking everybody’s hearts,” he said.

Emergency shelter was provided by The Salvation Army in Hove, which opened its hall to stranded attendees. Martin Bellshaw, from the Hove branch, said about 20 people from Bristol and the northwest of England stayed overnight. Christian charity ParentFuel, which supports parents at the festival, said all its personnel were safe and praised the festival organizers for their handling of the crisis.

The Health and Safety Executive and local authorities have been informed and are assisting with the investigation. Sussex Police is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

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