A wooden sign toppled onto attendees at a Christian music gathering in West Sussex on Friday afternoon, resulting in one fatality and leaving six others wounded, according to emergency responders and witnesses present at the venue.

Emergency services responded to the Big Church Festival site located off Washington Road near Steyning after receiving reports of the incident involving the collapsed structure, which bore the inscription Everything’s Unmissable.

The event, promoted as the United Kingdoms largest Christian Festival, had opened its doors on Friday with plans to continue through Sunday.

Festival organisers confirmed in a statement that the remaining programme had been cancelled following the occurrence.

A 41-year-old resident of Eastbourne in East Sussex was declared deceased at the scene, while paramedics attended to six additional individuals who sustained injuries.

Witness Fred Abbott, who travelled from Morden in south London with his family, recounted that powerful wind gusts caused the sign to fall as they were positioned in the vicinity of Toms Stage within the designated Field of Fun area.

According to his account to the Daily Mail, the party stood approximately 20 metres from the large wooden structure when it collapsed.

Abbott described hearing a loud cracking sound followed by an impact, after which he and his companion joined roughly 30 to 50 other individuals in attempting to lift the fallen sign.

Theologian and writer Andy Ollerton was traversing the grounds a short distance behind when the overhead sign descended upon the group ahead.

Through social media, he explained that attendees rushed to raise the structure before providing emergency medical assistance alongside other volunteers until professional responders arrived.

Despite these efforts, one of the affected individuals subsequently succumbed to their injuries.

Ollerton noted that many present were struggling to process the events and that numerous questions would likely arise regarding the circumstances and their broader implications.

The gathering dispersed in an orderly fashion following the announcement that the livestream had been suspended due to unforeseen developments, according to reports from those in attendance.

South East Coast Ambulance Service dispatched crews to the location shortly after 3.30pm.

A service representative indicated that four casualties required transport to nearby medical facilities for additional care, with two sustaining severe wounds and two presenting with less critical injuries.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally expressed her sadness and shock at the news.

In a published response, she offered prayers for the bereaved family and those undergoing treatment, as well as for healthcare professionals providing care and remaining festival attendees and staff processing the events.

ParentFuel, an organisation supporting Christian parents, confirmed that its members who had attended the event were physically unharmed but deeply affected.

The group commended the festivals handling of the situation and stated that the occurrence represented a tragic accident while affirming their continued faith.

Festival-goer Ralph Scrutton described the atmosphere at the campsite on Saturday as subdued and reflective, with attendees gradually packing equipment and preparing to depart.

He noted a quiet, contemplative mood as individuals processed the previous days developments.

Sussex Police confirmed that relatives of the deceased have been notified and are receiving assistance from specially trained officers.

The force indicated that the incident had been referred to the Health and Safety Executive and the relevant local authority.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh acknowledged the significant distress caused to those present and stated that investigations were progressing in conjunction with partner agencies to establish the precise circumstances.

With thousands of individuals having been at the festival, officers appealed for anyone possessing relevant information or recording footage to make contact through official channels or by telephoning 101, citing Operation Igloo.