Portugal Colonial - Six treated after sign falls at Big Church Festival in West Sussex

Six people were receiving treatment after a sign reportedly fell at Big Church Festival at Wiston Park near Steyning in West Sussex on Friday, August 28. Emergency services were called shortly after 15:30 and an air ambulance was seen near the venue.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said ambulance crews, critical-care paramedics and specialist response teams attended, with six patients confirmed at the time of its statement.

Sussex Police said officers were called at about 15:38 following reports that a sign had fallen and injured several people at the Washington Road site. Police remained at the venue to support other emergency services and warned of local traffic disruption, advising drivers to use alternative routes.

Festival organisers paused the 2026 event and said no further programme would take place that day. They said they were working with emergency services and relevant authorities and would issue more information when available.

A journalist from Premier Christian News reported that people had temporarily been prevented from entering or leaving the site after the incident.

J.V.Jacinto--PC