Britain’s largest Christian music festival shuts down after 1 killed, 6 injured

Organizers closed the Big Church Festival, Britain's largest Christian music festival, on its opening day Friday out of compassion for victims after a sign fell and killed one person and injured six others near Steyning, West Sussex.

The three-day festival began Friday and had been scheduled to run through Sunday. Organizers first told the public the festival was on hold because of a serious on-site incident, then announced hours later that the event was over for good, The Telegraph reported.

In an Instagram post shortly after 5:30 p.m., organizers told attendees that Friday’s show had been canceled and that all day visitors needed to leave the site immediately.

Earlier Friday, a message posted on the main stage’s video screen informed the crowd that the show had halted for reasons outside organizers’ control. Campers were told to return to the campsite immediately, while non-campers were instructed to remain in the main arena.

Organizers later said the campsite would remain open overnight for those who wanted to stay, and that other attendees were free to travel home.

The man who died at the scene was aged 41 and from Eastbourne, East Sussex, according to Sussex Police. His family had been told, and specialist officers were supporting them. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh of Sussex Police was quoted as saying that the incident had caused immense distress among people at the festival and that officers were working with several partners to determine what happened. He called it a tragic incident and said his thoughts were with the dead man’s family and friends.

Officers stayed at the scene overnight, and residents were urged to keep away from the area. Police said the case had also been referred to Britain’s workplace safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, and the local council.

In a statement, Big Church Festival organizers said they were devastated by the incident, which left seven people hurt, including the man who died. They said their immediate priority was the safety and well-being of everyone at the festival and helping attendees leave the grounds without incident.

Organizers said they were coordinating with police, paramedics and the same safety regulator to determine what had happened, and they thanked their teams, volunteers and the community for the support shown to one another. They said the festival community was grieving.

One festival-goer was quoted as saying that word had spread the worship tent’s sign toppled onto a group of people, and that an air ambulance came to the scene.

Britain’s national weather service had told people heading to outdoor events to expect gusty conditions. Forecasters recorded gusts reaching 27 mph in Shoreham, West Sussex, that same day.

The festival livestream, broadcast on God TV, was suspended after the incident.

Big Church Festival was founded by musician Tim Jupp, a member of the Christian rock band Delirious?, as a non-profit event. It began in 2009 as a one-day event called Big Church Day Out, drawing about 15,000 people, and was extended to three days in 2010.

It is held on the Wiston Estate near Steyning and was canceled for two straight years during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning in 2022.

This year’s edition was expected to draw up to 40,000 guests over the bank holiday weekend, and the lineup included roughly 60 worship leaders and Christian musicians set to appear on several stages, and attractions such as bumper cars and a dedicated worship tent.

The event is run by Big Church Festival Limited, a company registered in England, according to public corporate records.