A 41-year-old man has died and at least six others were injured after a large sign fell at the Big Church festival near Steyning in West Sussex on Friday afternoon, Sussex Police said.
The man, from Eastbourne, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, the force added.
Officers remained at the site on Friday night and people were advised to avoid the area as emergency services worked at the scene. The incident has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and the local authority, Sussex Police said, and inquiries are under way to establish exactly what happened.
Festival cancelled as organisers express devastation
Organisers informed attendees by Instagram shortly after 5.30pm that the remainder of the event had been cancelled and asked day visitors to leave the site immediately. They subsequently confirmed the decision to end the festival, which had been due 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.”
The statement from organisers added their condolences to those affected, their families and everyone who witnessed the incident. They said they had brought the event to a close following the collapse.
Police appeal for witnesses and footage
Deputy Chief Constable Richard McDonagh described the event as “tragic” and said investigators were working with partners to determine the cause. He urged anyone with information or relevant video footage to contact Sussex Police.
“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
Sussex Police said at least six other people had been taken to hospital for treatment. The force emphasised the scale of the event and the potential number of witnesses, saying thousands of people had been attending the festival.
- Fatality: 1 person, aged 41, from Eastbourne, pronounced dead at the scene.
- Injured: At least 6 people taken to hospital for treatment.
- Event status: Big Church festival 2026 cancelled and closed after the incident.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Big Church festival, near Steyning, West Sussex |
| Time reported | Friday afternoon; Instagram post shortly after 17:30 |
| Agencies involved | Sussex Police, Health and Safety Executive, local authority |
The response by emergency services and the subsequent reporting to regulatory bodies mean the collapse will be subject to criminal and safety-focused inquiries. The Health and Safety Executive typically investigates incidents at events to assess compliance with safety duties and whether further action is required.
Organisers said their thoughts were with those affected and with witnesses. Officers continue to appeal for any witnesses or footage that could help establish how the sign came to fall. Anyone with information was asked to contact Sussex Police through their official channels.
The sudden closure of a major festival and the loss of life will raise fresh questions about temporary structure safety at large gatherings and the checks and procedures used by organisers and contractors. Authorities have not yet released details on the sign’s construction, anchoring or the precise circumstances leading to the collapse.
As inquiries progress, families of the injured and of the deceased are being offered support by police specialist teams. Further updates are expected as investigators and safety regulators examine evidence from the scene.
