The Albany Gazette - Six injured after sign falls at Christian festival in West Sussex

At least six people were injured when a sign fell onto a crowd at the Big Church Festival in Wiston Park near Steyning, West Sussex.

Emergency services were called at about 3.38pm on Friday, August 28. South East Coast Ambulance Service deployed ambulance crews, critical-care paramedics and specialist response teams and confirmed it was treating six patients. Their conditions were not immediately disclosed.

Flight-tracking information indicated that an air ambulance travelled to the site and later departed. Police vehicles and ambulances also attended.

Organisers cancelled the remainder of Friday's programme. Day visitors were instructed to leave, while campers were told to return to their accommodation and await updates. One attendee said movement into and out of the area had initially been restricted.

Sussex Police said it was assisting other emergency services after receiving reports that a sign had fallen and injured several people at the Washington Road site. It warned of traffic disruption and asked the public to use alternative routes.

Big Church Festival is an annual non-profit Christian music and worship event that began in 2009. The 2026 festival was scheduled for August 28 to 30, with about 40,000 people expected to attend.

(A.Johnson--TAG)