Dad of 4 describes horror crushing
Fred Abbott, who was sitting yards away with his family, told the Daily Mail there was a “strong gust of wind” followed by a “massive crack and bang”.
Once he’d realised what had happened, the father of four ran over to help those trapped underneath, which has left him “shaken”.
He told the outlet: “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’. There were five people on the floor and not moving.
“I had to walk away because there was a man on the floor and he was bleeding from his head and from his mouth.”
Archbishop of Canterbury ‘sad and shocked’
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said she was “sad and shocked” to hear of the incident. Archbishop Dame Sarah Mullally said: “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 organisers as they come to terms with these tragic events. May the God of comfort and healing be with them all.”
Hero rushed to save the injured
Author Andrew Ollerton was due to make an appearance at the festival when the sign fell, The Sun reports, and he rushed to help the people underneath.
He said in a social media message: “With a heavy heart, I’m reflecting on our personal experience of the tragic incident at Big Church Festival yesterday.
“I want to thank the incredible team @bigchurchfest who took decisive action in difficult circumstances, as well as all the festival goers who stayed calm and handled the news so respectfully.
“I’m sure, like me, it leaves you feeling perplexed by many questions. In Luke chapter 13, Jesus brings both honest challenge and deep comfort to those facing a similar tragedy in his day.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved.”
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Witness describes incident
Theo Saville, who was at the festival, told the BBC that a “large wooden sign” collapsed near the entrance to a tented area.
Christian charity safe after incident
Christian parent-support charity ParentFuel said its staff at the festival were all safe following the “freak accident”. It said: “We cannot praise the BCF (Big Church Festival) team enough for the way things have been handled.
“We are currently sat in the volunteer tent with a brew in hand, worship music being played and the warmth of chatter around us. Life is so precious and so, so short. This weekend brought that ever closer for us all.”
Festival organisers ‘devastated’
Organisers of Big Church Festival say they are “devastated” to learn of the incident at the event.
A spokesperson for 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.
“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.”
27mph winds on day of incident
The Met Office had urged festivalgoers to prepare for windy conditions over the bank holiday weekend. According to its UK weather map, wind speeds of up to 27mph were recorded in Shoreham, West Sussex, on Friday afternoon.
UK’s biggest Christian festival
According to its website, Big Church Festival was founded in 2009 and is the UK’s biggest Christian festival.
Incident reported to government agency
Officers remained at the scene on Friday night as police continued to urge people to avoid the area.
The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and local authority, Sussex Police confirmed.
Big Church Festival cancelled
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 scheduled to run 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.”
Witness urged to come forward
Sussex Police have urged anyone with information regarding the incident to report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Igloo.
Sussex Police statement
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.
“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.”
A283 does not appear to be closed anymore
Both Google Maps and AA Roadwatch live traffic data indicate the A283 is no longer closed.
However, the AA service still expects disruption on the A283 due to the festival.
Although the festival has been cancelled, campers still have until 12noon on Saturday to leave – so there could still be traffic on the A283 as they do so.
The A283 is no longer closed (Image: AA RoadWatch)
Police statement in full – witnesses urged to come forward
Here is a reminder of the full police statement which confirmed a man had died in the incident.
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.
“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. You can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Igloo.”
Refund information to be issued in due course
Organisers have said those camping at the festival need to leave site by 12 noon on Saturday (August 29) ‘out of respect for those affected by the incident’.
They add ticketholders will be contacted about potential refunds once ‘more information is available’.
Road remains closed after ‘avoid the area’ warning issued
The A283 remains closed near Wiston House, according to live traffic data.
Earlier, Sussex police said it had shut the A-road down “to allow emergency services to respond”.
A spokesperson added: “Police and partners remain at the scene at this time, and we woould urge the public to avoid the area wherever possible.”
Health and Safety Executive informed
Sussex Police say the Health and Safety Executive and local authority have been informed.
Police remain at scene as public urged to ‘avoid the area’
Police say they remain at the scene this evening and are urging the public to avoid the area wherever possible.
A section of the A283 was temporarily closed between Washington Roundabout and the B2135 Horsham Road to allow emergency services to respond to the fatal incident earlier today.
Big Church Festival 2026 cancelled following fatal incident
The event organisers says Big Church Festival 2026 cancelled following the fatal incident.
A spokesperson 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.
“For all future updates, please visit our website.”
Police recognise the ‘immense distress this will have caused people at the festival’
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said he recognised the “immense distress this will have caused people at the festival”.
His full statement 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.
“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. You can report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Igloo.”
Man, 41, dies
A man has sadly died following an incident at Big Church Festival, near Steyning, Sussex Police said.
A statement from the force, issued this evening, said:
Big Church Festival was sold out
Big Church Festival had officially sold out, with around 40,000 people expected to gather over the bank holiday for three days of Christian music, worship and community.
Organisers announced the sell-out news only three days ago.
Festivalgoers urged to prepare for windy conditions
The Met Office had urged festivalgoers to prepare for windy conditions over the bank holiday weekend.