A man who helped lift a sign that read ‘Everything’s Unmissable’ off people crushed underneath it described hearing a ‘massive crack and bang’ as it fell in a Christian music festival – killing one man.
Emergency services were called to Big Church Festival held on the Wiston Estate near Steyning in West Sussex following the incident at around 3.38pm on Friday.
A 41-year-old man from Eastbourne died at the scene. At least six other people were wounded at the festival, which self-identifies as the UK’s largest annual Christian music event.
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.
‘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 the Daily Mail.
‘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.’
A man was killed and six others injured after a sign that read ‘Everything’s Unmissable’ fell at the Big Church Festival on Friday
An aerial view of Big Church Festival held on the Wiston Estate near Steyning in West Sussex
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 attended the festival with his 30-year-old wife Lauren and four children.
The father-of-four believes 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 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.
Mr Abbott described the atmosphere becoming ‘intense very quickly’, while festivalgoers felt ill-informed over what had happened.
The author Andrew Ollerton was due to appear at the festival.
He has since revealed he and his wife were walking just a few paces behind when the sign fell.
Mr Ollerton said he and his wife were ‘absolutely reeling’ and ‘in a bit of a shock’ after witnessing the fatal incident.
He added: ‘Our hearts go out to the friends and family who are now facing such tragedy.’
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?’
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.’
Ticketholders for the annual event received an email urging all campers to immediately return to their accommodation due to a ‘serious incident’.
A spokesperson 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 spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service previously said: ‘South East Coast Ambulance Service was called to reports of multiple people in need of medical attention at Wiston Park, Steyning shortly after 15.30hrs today (Friday, 28 August 2026).
‘Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams are currently on scene with six patients confirmed so far.
‘We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible.’
