Six People Injured After Festival Sign Falls at Big Church Festival in West Sussex
WEST SUSSEX, England — Six people have been injured after a large sign reportedly fell at the Big Church Festival at Wiston Park near Steyning on Friday afternoon, prompting a major emergency response and the cancellation of the remainder of the day’s programme.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) said it was called to the festival site shortly after 3:30 p.m. and confirmed that at least six patients were being treated.
Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams were sent to the scene alongside other emergency services.
Festival Cancelled Following Serious Incident
Sussex Police said officers were called at approximately 3:38 p.m. following reports that a sign had fallen and injured several people at the site on Washington Road.
Police remained at the festival assisting emergency crews and managing the response.
Following the incident, Big Church Festival announced that the remainder of Friday’s programme had been cancelled.
In a statement to attendees, festival organisers said:
“We are very sorry to inform you that today’s show has been cancelled due to a serious incident.”
All day visitors were instructed to leave the festival grounds, while campers were asked to return to their campsites and await further information. Organisers said campers could also leave the site if they wished.
Earlier, attendees had been instructed to return to their tents or remain in the main arena while emergency services responded.
The incident also resulted in the suspension of GOD TV’s broadcast from the festival.
Emergency Response Underway
The large emergency response included ambulance crews and specialist medical teams treating those affected. Authorities have not yet released information about the severity of the injuries beyond confirming that six people were injured.
Sussex Police warned that the emergency response could cause traffic disruption in the surrounding area and encouraged motorists to use alternative routes where possible.
The circumstances surrounding the collapse of the sign remain under investigation. Authorities have not indicated whether any further structures or areas of the festival site are considered unsafe.
Festival organisers and emergency services are expected to provide additional information as the situation develops.
The incident has disrupted what was expected to be a major day of music and worship at the annual festival, leaving attendees and the wider Christian community concerned for those who were injured.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who were injured, their families and friends, as emergency crews continue their work at the scene.