Man dies and several injured after sign falls at Big Church Festival

A 41-year-old man has died and at least six other individuals have been injured after a sign fell at the Big Church Festival near Steyning in West Sussex. Emergency services responded to the incident at approximately 3:38 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026. The man, from Eastbourne, was pronounced dead at the scene, and his family has been notified and is receiving support from specialist officers, according to Sussex Police. Eyewitnesses reported that a large wooden sign collapsed near the entrance to a tented area, with one festivalgoer stating that it fell in the direction of the wind. The Met Office had warned festival attendees to prepare for windy conditions, with wind speeds reaching up to 27 mph in Shoreham on the same afternoon. In a statement, Big Church Festival expressed devastation over the incident and announced the cancellation of the remainder of the event. Paramedics confirmed that six individuals were injured, though their conditions remain unclear. Following the collapse, the area was reportedly placed into lockdown, restricting entry and exit. Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh described the incident as tragic and urged anyone with information or video footage to come forward. The festival, which has been held annually since 2009, was expected to attract around 40,000 attendees this year. Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, expressed concern over the reported casualties and noted the strong gusts of wind in the area during the incident. The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed their response to multiple reports of medical emergencies at Wiston Park shortly after 3:30 PM.