Big Church Festival latest: Man dies as large sign crushes Sussex festival-goers

Big Church Festival latest: Man dies as large sign crushes Sussex festival-goers One person has died after a sign fell on people at Big Church Festival in Steyning in West Sussex, with ambulance crews treating at least six people at the scene A 41-year-old man has died after a sign fell and crushed people at Big Church Festival in Steyning. Police and ambulance crews rushed to the Christian festival in West Sussex on Friday afternoon after reports of several people having been injured. At least six people were treated for injuries at the scene following the incident at around 3.38pm. The livestream for the event was dramatically ended, and festival-goers said they were plunged into "lockdown". Sussex Police confirmed this evening that a man, 41 and from Eastbourne, had tragically died. The festival has now been cancelled. South East Coast Ambulance Service was called to reports of multiple people in need of medical attention, with six people treated. An air ambulance was pictured leaving the scene. Organisers have since cancelled the remainder of the festival. This is a live news event. Please check for the latest updates below. Key Events The A283 is no longer shown as closed on both Google Maps and AA Roadwatch live traffic data. However, the AA service still expects disruption on the A283 due to the festival, hence the warning triangle symbol below. 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. Police have urged witnesses to come forward after the 'distressing incident'. A statement issued by 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.” 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'. The main road outside Wiston House, the A283, remains closed according to live traffic data. Earlier, the 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 would urge the public to avoid the area wherever possible." Earlier, the festival said today's events had been cancelled following the incident. Now it says the whole schedule for the 2026 iteration has been axed. This comes after police said a man, 41, had died after a sign fell on visitors earlier today. 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. Sussex Police said officers remain at the scene this evening, and urged public to "avoid the area wherever possible". The force added: "We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we will provide any further updates on this channel as soon as we are in a position to do so." 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.” Sussex Police announced this evening that a man has died following the incident at Big Church Festival. Police were called at around 3.38pm to reports that a large sign had fallen and injured a number of people at the site. It has now been confirmed a 41-year-old man from Eastbourne died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and supported by specialist officers, the force said. Festival-goers spotted ambulances at Big Church Festival earlier today. It came after a sign fell and crushed visitors, with at least six people injured. Today's events were cancelled as a result. The Met Office had urged festival-goers to prepare for windy conditions over the bank holiday weekend. According to its forecasts, wind speeds of up to 27mph were recorded in Shoreham, West Sussex, on Friday afternoon. Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said: "Concerned to hear reports of casualties at the Big Church festival at Wiston. "There have certainly been strong gusts of wind during the course of this afternoon locally. "My thoughts are with all of those impacted at this time and those responding to the incident." Messages around the festival said it had been "closed for [an] emergency" earlier today. It came after a sign fell and crush visitors, with at least six people injured. Compass Travel says it has been asked to suspend all "bus services from Shoreham & Steyning to the Site for the rest of today" following the incident. The company added that "shuttle buses from site back to Shoreham will continue." Another message displayed at the festival urged people to return to their tents. Day ticket holders have since been told to leave the site as today's events have been cancelled. Messages appeared on electronic boards at the festival earlier today, telling people shows had been "suspended" due to an "incident". The festival has since confirmed that today's events have been cancelled. GOD TV confirmed it had suspended its livestream of Big Church Festival earlier today as the incident unfolded. So far, at least six people have been treated for injuries. Ambulances have been pictured at the scene, and an air ambulance was seen leaving the event. An air ambulance has been pictured leaving the Big Church Festival after a sign fell and crushed people earlier today. The Big Church Festival has said today's event has now been cancelled following the "serious incident". All day visitors have been urged to leave. An air ambulance has been pictured over the Big Church Festival in Steyning. At least six people are believed to have been injured. South East Coast Ambulance Service says there are "at least six patients" following the incident at the festival. It comes after an earlier announcement where the service had confirmed six patients so far. The Big Church Festival is the UK's largest annual gathering of the Christian church. The three-day event welcomes up to 40,000 guests from various Christian denominations at the historic Wiston Estate every August bank holiday. Around 60 Christian artists and worship leaders perform at stages across the site, where extensive on-site camping and food is also available to visitors. James Lewis, who is at the festival, told Premier that guests are not allowed to get in or leave, with the site placed on "lockdown". "We've been told that the site is on lockdown, with people not allowed to get in or out," he said. A safety announcement has been displayed on the big screen at the festival's main stage. It reads: "Due to circumstances beyond our control, the show has been stopped. Any campers please head back to the campsite immediately. Any non-campers please remain in the main arena." South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called to reports of multiple people in need of medical attention at Wiston Park, Steyning, shortly after 3:30pm today. "Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams are currently on scene with six patients confirmed so far," it said. "We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible." GOD TV has temporarily paused its livestream of the Big Church Festival. The TV network said it had ended the stream "due to unforeseen circumstances". Sussex Polise say emergency services are responding to reports of a sign falling and injuring a number of people. A spokesperson said: "Emergency services are currently responding to an incident at an event near Steyning. It follows reports of a sign having fallen and injured a number of people at the site in Washington Road. "Police were called at around 3.38pm and remain at the scene, assisting other emergency services, at this time. "As a result, there is likely to be some traffic disruption in the local area, and we would urge the public to seek alternative routes if possible. "We have no further information at this time, but will provide any updates as soon as we are in a position to do so."