Man was killed when 'Everything's Unmissable' sign fell on him in high winds at Christian music festival as eyewitness reveals horrific scene as he ran to help

- Do YOU have a story? Email isabella.machin@dailymail.co.uk - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source A Christian festivalgoer was killed and six injured when a wooden sign reading 'Everything's Unmissable' collapsed on them in high winds. An eyewitness who helped lift the timber board off the victims has told the Daily Mail how he heard a 'massive crack and bang' as it fell. Fred Abbott, from Morden, in south London, was sat just yards away with his young family when a 'strong gust of wind' toppled the sign in the harrowing incident. The father of four then rushed over to help save those crushed underneath. 'We were by Tom's Stage in the Field of Fun, about 20 metres away from where this massive wooden sign was,' Mr Abbott told us. '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".' Still 'shaken' from the incident, the project manager added: '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.' Emergency services were called to Big Church Festival, held on the Wiston Estate near Steyning in West Sussex, at around 3.38pm on Friday. The victim was a 41-year-old man from Eastbourne, while at least six other people were injured at the festival, which describes itself as the UK's largest Christian music event. A man was killed and six others injured after a sign that read 'Everything's Unmissable' fell at the Big Church Festival on Friday Fred Abbott helped lift the timber board off the victims (Pictured: Mr Abbott with his four-year-old daughter on the Ferris wheel at the festival) Fred Abbott, from Morden, in south London, was sat mere metres away with his young family when a 'strong gust of wind' is believed to have toppled the sign in the harrowing incident It was the fifth year in a row Mr Abbott has attended the festival with his 30-year-old wife Lauren and four children. The father of four says a 'strong gust' pulled down the sign, with windy conditions picking up within hours. 'It was windy. It didn't feel too bad an hour before when my girls went on the Ferris wheel,' Mr Abbott, who is Roman Catholic, said. 'There was a strong gust of wind from where we were sitting on the floor next to Tom's stage, but it just got worse and worse.' The Met Office had urged festivalgoers across the country to prepare for windy conditions over the Bank Holiday weekend. Its weather map showed wind speeds of up to 27mph in Shoreham, West Sussex, on Friday afternoon. Mr Abbott's wife and four-year-old child were 'contemplating' buying food, which would have taken them under the sign, mere moments before it fell down. In a statement on Friday evening, Big Church Festival said it was 'devastated' at the death of one of its attendees in a 'serious incident'. An aerial view of Big Church Festival held on the Wiston Estate near Steyning in West Sussex An aerial view of campers at the festival, which was due to be attended by around 40,000 people A number of police cars and ambulances can be seen at the festival where a sign collapsed Organisers said the decision had been made to cancel the rest of the event, which was due to run until Sunday, after the death on the opening day. Mr Abbott described the atmosphere becoming 'intense very quickly' after the sign fell, while he said festivalgoers felt ill-informed over what had happened. 'Not much was said afterwards, which we were finding very weird. There were no announcements and stuff was still going on. The fun play was continuing, people were still singing, and we were thinking: "Aren't you going to do an announcement?",' he added. More than 60 music artists and worship leaders were due to perform across multiple stages, including author Andrew Ollerton. He has since revealed he and his wife were walking just a few paces behind when the sign fell. The author then rushed to help lift the sign. Mr Ollerton said he and his wife were 'absolutely reeling' and 'in a bit of a shock' after witnessing the fatal incident. He added on Instagram: '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 festivalgoers 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. Author Andrew Ollerton was due to perform at the festival and has since revealed he and his wife were walking just a few paces behind when the sign fell Adventurer and TV show host Bear Grylls has since shared his condolences with a comment on Mr Ollerton's post 'Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved.' Reflecting on the aftermath, he said: 'I’m sure you’re waking up this morning, full of questions. Why did this happen? Why did God let this happen? That is the deeper question.' Adventurer and TV show host Bear Grylls has since shared his condolences, commenting on Mr Ollerton's post: 'Am so sorry for everyone x' Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in from across the Christian community. The Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally urged people to pray for the 'family, friends and loved ones' of those impacted by the 'tragic' incident. In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the senior bishop wrote: 'I am sad and shocked to hear that a man has died at the Big Church Festival, and that others have been injured. '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. '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 all comfort and healing be with them all.' The Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally urged people to pray for the 'family, friends and loved ones' of those impacted by the 'tragic' incident in a post on X on Saturday ParentFuel, a Christian parent support organisation, said its people who attended the festival were 'all devasted but safe'. In a statement, it added: 'We cannot praise the BCF 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. 'What happened was awful. It was a freak accident. But God is still good.' It added: 'Life is so precious and so so short. 'This weekend brought that ever closer for us all.' On Saturday festival-goer Ralph Scrutton posted: 'The mood across the campsite is understandably subdued and melancholy, with people slowly waking up, packing down, and getting ready to leave the site. 'There’s a real sense of quietness this morning, with people reflecting on the events of yesterday. Keep praying church, for all those involved.' Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said on Friday: '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.' The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and local authority, the force added. Concern first sparked when the festival's live stream, called GOD TV, was cut. Ticketholders for the annual event then received an email urging all campers to immediately return to their accommodation due to a 'serious incident'. A spokesman for Big Church 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. '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.' Big Church Festival is an annual Christian music and worship non-profit event. It has been running since 2009 and was being held this year from August 28 to August 30. Around 40,000 people were expected to attend. 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.' A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: 'Six patients in total were assessed and treated at the scene. 'Four of those patients were taken to a local hospitals for further treatment, including two patients with more serious injuries and two patients with less serious injuries. 'Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly lost his life, and with everyone affected by this tragic incident.'