STEYNING, West Sussex — At least six people were injured Friday after a sign collapsed onto a crowd at the Big Church Festival in Wiston Park.
South East Coast Ambulance Service received calls for medical attention shortly after 3:30 PM on Aug. 28. Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams confirmed six patients at the scene.
Big Church Festival organizers announced the cancellation of Friday's events due to a "serious incident." All day visitors were instructed to leave the site immediately, while campers were urged to return to their accommodation.
Sussex Police were called at approximately 3:38 PM. Officers assisted other emergency services at the scene. Police warned of likely traffic disruption in the local area and advised the public to seek alternative routes.
Witnesses reported the area was placed under lockdown, preventing people from entering or exiting. Some reports indicated a large metal support beam collapsed.
The Big Church Festival is an annual Christian music and worship event operated as a non-profit since 2009. This year's festival was scheduled to take place from Aug. 28 to Aug. 30, with an expected attendance of around 40,000 people.
