At least six people have been injured after a sign fell onto a crowd of revellers at a Christian festival.
Emergency services were called to Big Church Festival in Wiston Park, Steyning, West Sussex, at 3.38pm, with critical care medics also deployed.
Paramedics have so far confirmed six patients, although their status is unclear.
The remainder of today’s show has been cancelled and attendees have been told to leave the site.
One festivalgoer previously said the area was on ‘lockdown’ with people not allowed to get in or out.
Flight radar suggests an air ambulance was scrambled to the scene but it has since departed.
Ticketholders for the annual event received an email urging all campers to immediately return to their accommodation due to a ‘serious incident’.
An aerial view of Big Church Festival where six people have been injured after a sign fell onto a crowd
Emergency services are pictured at the scene of the incident on Friday evening
Paramedics have so far confirmed six patients, although their status is unclear
In an update this afternoon, Big Church Festival said: ‘We are very sorry to inform you that today’s show has been cancelled due to a serious incident.
‘All day visitors, must leave the site now. If you are camping with us, please return to your campsite and await further updates.’
Big Church Festival is an annual Christian music and worship non-profit event.
It has been running since 2009 and was being held this year from August 28 to August 30. Around 40,000 people were expected to attend.
A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: ‘South East Coast Ambulance Service was called to reports of multiple people in need of medical attention at Wiston Park, Steyning shortly after 15.30hrs today (Friday, 28 August 2026).
‘Ambulance crews, critical care paramedics and specialist response teams are currently on scene with six patients confirmed so far. We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible.’
An aerial view of campers at the festival, which was due to be attended by around 40,000 people
A number of police cars and ambulances can be seen at the festival where a sign collapsed
Ticketholders for the annual event received an email urging all campers to immediately return to their accommodation due to a ‘serious incident’
A statement from Sussex Police said: ‘Emergency services are currently responding to an incident at an event near Steyning.
‘It follows reports of a sign having fallen and injured a number of people at the site in Washington Road.
‘Police were called at around 3.38pm and remain at the scene, assisting other emergency services, at this time.
‘As a result, there is likely to be some traffic disruption in the local area, and we would urge the public to seek alternative routes if possible.
‘We have no further information at this time, but will provide any updates as soon as we are in a position to do so.’

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