A witness has described how they were walking ‘just a few paces’ behind ‘when a huge overhead sign came crashing down’ on people in front of them
Worshippers rushed to lift a heavy sign which read “Everything’s Unmissable”, witnesses said, after it fell on revellers at a Christian festival killing one man and injuring others. Police were called to the Big Church Festival (BCF) off Washington Road near Steyning, West Sussex on Friday afternoon.
Organisers of the BCF, billed as the UK’s biggest Christian Festival, said they were “devastated by the serious incident” in which a 41 year-old man from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was pronounced dead and six others were injured.
Fred Abbott, of Morden, South London, told the Daily Mail that a “strong gust of wind” toppled the sign as he and his family were nearby. He told the newspaper: “We were by Tom’s Stage in the Field of Fun, about 20 metres away from where this massive wooden sign was.
‘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’.”
Andy Ollerton was walking “just a few paces” behind “when a huge overhead sign came crashing down on the people in front of us”.
The theologian and author explained on Instagram: “We rushed with others to lift the sign off them and then administered first aid with others as best we could until the paramedics arrived but tragically, one of those people, we’ve now heard, lost his life. So, we’re absolutely reeling, devastated, as you can imagine, and in a bit of shock as well. I am sure many others who witnessed it were too.”
Mr Ollerton said many people would have questions the incident, adding: “Why did this happen? Why did this happen at human level? What went wrong, but also why did God let this happen? I suppose is the deeper question that I’m sure you’re feeling too.”
BCF took “decisive action in difficult circumstances” and the crowds stayed calm and respectful, he said. Festival goers were alerted to the tragedy when God TV announced that “due to unforeseen circumstances” the BCF livestream had been paused.
The rest of the event, which opened on Friday and had been due to run until Sunday, has been cancelled. South East Coast Ambulance Service were called out just after 3.30pm and treated six people at the scene.
A spokesman said: “Four of those patients were taken to a local hospitals for further treatment, including two patients with more serious injuries and two patients with less serious injuries. Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly lost his life, and with everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally said she was “sad and shocked” to hear about incident. She said: “I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve. I pray for those receiving treatment, and the healthcare workers looking after them.
“And I pray too for the other festival goers, staff and event organisers as they come to terms with these tragic events. May the God of comfort and healing be with them all.”
ParentFuel, a Christian parent support organisation, said its members who attended the festival were “all devasted but safe”.
In a statement, it praised BCF for the way it handled the incident and said: “What happened was awful. It was a freak accident. But God is still good.” It added: “Life is so precious and so so short. This weekend brought that ever closer for us all.”
On Saturday festival-goer Ralph Scrutton posted: “The mood across the campsite is understandably subdued and melancholy, with people slowly waking up, packing down, and getting ready to leave the site. There’s a real sense of quietness this morning, with people reflecting on the events of yesterday. Keep praying church, for all those involved.”
The deceased’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers, Sussex Police said. The incident has been reported to the health and safety executive and local authority, the force added.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh said: “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.”
Anyone with information which could help police is asked to report it online or call 101 quoting Operation Igloo.
