At least six people required medical attention after a sign reportedly fell at the Big Church Festival near Steyning on Friday afternoon, August 28, 2026, prompting a major emergency response at Wiston Park.
Emergency services were called to the festival site near Washington Road shortly after 3:30 p.m. following reports that several people had been injured. Sussex Police said officers were dispatched at approximately 3:38 p.m. and remained at the scene alongside ambulance crews and other emergency responders.
According to the preliminary information released by authorities, the incident involved a sign falling and striking or injuring people at the event. The exact circumstances surrounding the collapse, including why the structure fell, had not been established in the initial reports.
The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that ambulance crews, critical-care paramedics and specialist response teams were attending the scene. Six patients had been identified as requiring medical attention at the time of the ambulance service’s initial update, although officials did not immediately provide details about the severity of their injuries.
The identities of those receiving treatment have not been publicly released. There was also no official confirmation of any fatalities in the information available.
The incident prompted festival organizers and emergency services to introduce additional safety measures while the response was underway. Attendees were reportedly instructed to remain in designated areas, with campers asked to return to their campsites and non-campers told to remain in the main arena.
The festival livestream was also temporarily suspended as emergency crews dealt with the incident.
The Big Church Festival, scheduled to take place from August 28 through August 30 at Wiston Estate, attracts large numbers of visitors for a weekend of Christian music, worship and community activities. The sudden incident disrupted the opening day of the event as authorities worked to ensure the safety of those attending.
Traffic was also affected around the festival grounds. Sussex Police warned motorists to expect disruption around Washington Road and encouraged drivers to use alternative routes where possible.
With thousands of people attending the festival, emergency crews faced the additional challenge of managing a large event site while treating those who were injured and securing the area.
Authorities have not yet released a full account of what caused the sign to fall or whether any safety concerns had been identified before the incident. Investigators and relevant officials are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Members of the public have also been urged to rely on information provided by emergency services and festival officials rather than unverified reports circulating online. Claims about the condition of individual patients or reports of deaths should not be treated as confirmed unless supported by an authoritative source.
The investigation and emergency response remain ongoing, with further information expected as officials establish exactly what happened at Wiston Park and provide updates on those who were injured.
