One Dead, Six Injured After Sign Collapse at Big Church Festival

Big Church Festival ended after a single day when a large sign collapsed at Wiston Park in West Sussex on Friday, Aug. 28. One person died and at least six others were taken to hospital. The three-day event, billed as Britain’s largest Christian music festival, was scheduled to continue through Sunday.

The festival responded in stages on Instagram. The first statement said, “We are very sorry to inform you that today’s show has been cancelled due to a serious incident.” A later statement announced, “we made the decision to bring Big Church Festival 2026 to a close.” The abrupt end cut short a lineup that included Lauren Daigle, CeCe Winans, and Lecrae.

Sussex Police identified the man who died at the scene as a 41-year-old from Eastbourne, East Sussex. 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.”

The cancellation removes a key date from the UK’s Christian music calendar and shifts attention from the lineup to the circumstances of the collapse.