At least six people injured after sign falls at Big Church Festival as Friday programme cancelled - Updated at 19:11 28.08.2026

At least six people are being treated following a serious incident at the Big Church Festival near Steyning, with organisers now cancelling the remainder of Friday’s programme.

Emergency services were called to Wiston Park on Friday afternoon following reports that a sign had fallen and injured a number of people.

South East Coast Ambulance Service says it was called to the festival site shortly after 3.30pm.

Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams were sent to the scene and have been working alongside other emergency services.

The ambulance service has confirmed at least six patients are involved.

At the latest update, no further details had been released about the nature or severity of their injuries.

Sussex Police said officers were called at around 3.38pm following reports of a sign having fallen and injured a number of people at the site in Washington Road.

Police have remained at Wiston Park supporting the wider emergency service response.

The force has also warned people to expect traffic disruption around the area and is urging motorists to use alternative routes where possible.

Police have not yet released any further details about what caused the sign to fall or the circumstances leading up to the incident.

The latest statement from South East Coast Ambulance Service said crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams were at the scene with at least six patients confirmed.

The service said it would provide further information when it was able to do so.

Big Church Festival organisers have now confirmed that the remainder of Friday’s show has been cancelled because of what they described as a “serious incident”.

In a message issued to people attending the festival, day visitors were instructed to leave the site.

People camping at the Wiston Estate were told to return to their campsites and wait for further information, although organisers said campers could leave the festival site if they wished.

Organisers thanked festival-goers for their patience and said further updates would be issued when possible.

Earlier in the afternoon, people at the event had been instructed to move away from the entertainment areas as emergency services responded.

A message displayed at the festival said the show had been stopped, with campers directed back towards the campsite.

The livestream of the festival being carried by GOD TV was also suspended during the emergency response.

The Big Church Festival began on Friday and had been scheduled to continue at the Wiston Estate throughout the Bank Holiday weekend until Sunday.

Its published programme originally included entertainment across Saturday and Sunday, with stages scheduled to operate from lunchtime through to the evening.

At the time of publication, organisers have confirmed the cancellation of Friday’s remaining programme but have not announced whether the incident will affect Saturday or Sunday.

Festival-goers staying at the site are being told to await further information from organisers.

The Big Church Festival is held at the Wiston Estate, close to the A283 between Washington and Steyning.

Before the event, organisers had warned that significant traffic could be expected because of the rural location and had worked with West Sussex County Council, Horsham District Council and Sussex Police on traffic management arrangements for the weekend.

Emergency services remain involved in the response and there has been no confirmed information at this stage about the conditions of those being treated.

Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service have both said further information will be provided when available.

The Big Church Festival was being livestreamed on God TV, but their website says the livestream is temporarily suspended due to unforeseen circumstances.

In a statement on the Big Church Festival website, organisers said: "Big Church Festival 2026 has been paused following a serious incident on site, and no further programme will take place today.

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been directly impacted by the incident.

"We understand this will be deeply disappointing for the thousands who have joined us at the festival.

"We are working closely with the emergency services and relevant authorities. Further announcements will be made as more information becomes available.

"We are grateful for the understanding, patience, and prayers of our community at this time."

Explainer: What is the festival all about?

The Big Church Festival is one of the UK’s largest Christian music and worship gatherings, bringing thousands of people to the Wiston Estate near Steyning in West Sussex each year.

The event combines a traditional outdoor music festival with Christian worship, prayer, talks and family activities, with visitors travelling from across the UK and further afield.

The festival dates back to 2009, when it was launched by Tim Jupp under its original name, Big Church Day Out.

Organisers say more than 13,000 people attended the first gathering at Wiston Estate, with the event subsequently growing into one of the UK's biggest Christian gatherings.

The event later became known as Big Church Festival and has continued to make Wiston Estate its main UK home.

Its organisers describe the aim as bringing together Christians from different generations, denominations, cultures and backgrounds for a shared weekend of music, worship and community.

Contact V2 Radio News: If anyone was at the Big Church Festival today and has images or video, please email the news desk at news@v2radio.co.uk

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