'Massive crack and bang' as man killed after large sign falls down at Christian festival

Eyewitnesses heard “a massive crack and bang” after a large sign fell at a Christian festival and killed a man in West Sussex.

Six other people were injured after the incident at the Big Church Festival off Washington Road near Steyning, on Friday afternoon, where the man, 41, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was pronounced dead.

Eye witness Fred Abbott, from Morden, south London, told the Daily Mail he was left “shaken” by the incident.

He said: “We were by Tom's Stage in the Field of Fun, about 20 metres away from where this massive wooden sign was.

“We heard this massive crack and bang, and me and my friend ran over. There were around 30 to 50 people, including me and my friend, picking up this sign. It read: ‘Everything's Unmissable’.

“'I had to walk away because there was a man on the floor and he was bleeding from his head and from his mouth.”

His next of kin have been told and are being supported by specialist officers, Sussex Police said.

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.”

In a post on Instagram shortly after 5.30pm, organisers told attendees that Friday’s show had been cancelled and all day visitors “must leave the site now”.

Later, organisers said they had decided to cancel the rest of the festival, which had been set to go on until Sunday.

“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,” a Big Church Festival spokesperson said in a statement on social media.

“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.”

Officers remained at the scene on Friday night as police continued to urge people avoid the area.

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

“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,” said Mr McDonagh.

“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 which could help police is asked to report it online or call 101 and quote Operation Igloo.