Festival Sign Collapse Tragedy
Festival Cancelled After Falling Sign Kills Man in West Sussex
Anonymous
Key Points
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Friday's show had already been cancelled in an Instagram post shortly after 5.30pm.
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The tragedy occurred at Wiston Park near Steyning, West Sussex, around 3:38pm on Friday, with a 41-year-old man from Eastbourne dying.
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Sussex Police opened an investigation into the incident under Operation Igloo and urged anyone with information or relevant video footage to report it online or by calling 101.
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The festival's GOD TV broadcast was suspended in the wake of the incident.
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Big Church Festival is described as the UK's biggest Christian festival and was founded in 2009.
A 41-year-old man from Eastbourne died and six others were injured Friday when a large sign collapsed at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex. The incident happened around 3:38pm at Wiston Park near Steyning, prompting emergency services to rush to the scene and festival organizers to cancel the remainder of the event Sussex Express.
Big Church Festival, the UK's largest Christian festival, was immediately paused following the tragedy. Organizers said they were focusing on those affected and announced the event would end early, while Sussex Police opened an investigation and urged anyone with video footage or information to come forward The Guardian.
The Collapse and Immediate Response
The large sign fell without warning during Friday's afternoon, catching attendees and staff by surprise at the festival grounds. Emergency services, including ambulance crews and specialist responders, arrived quickly and treated multiple patients at the scene This Is The Coast. Sussex Police confirmed the death and began documenting the incident under Operation Igloo, their official investigation code.
Festival Organizers Cancel Remaining Events
Shortly after 5:30pm Friday, the festival's organizers posted on Instagram that the rest of the event was canceled. In a statement, organizers expressed "deep heartbreak" over the tragedy and said they were prioritizing support for those injured KMFM. The GOD TV broadcast of the festival was also suspended immediately following the incident.
Police Investigation and Public Appeal
Sussex Police opened an investigation into the circumstances of the collapse. Officials urged anyone with information, photographs, or video footage to report it online or call 101 MK FM. The Health and Safety Executive was also informed and is expected to assist in determining what caused the sign to fall.
About Big Church Festival
Big Church Festival is described as the UK's biggest Christian festival and has been running since 2009. The multi-day event typically attracts thousands of attendees to Wiston Park for worship, music, and spiritual activities. Friday's incident forced road closures and a security lockdown as authorities worked to manage the scene and assess what happened.
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