A Christian festival in the United Kingdom turned tragic after a 41-year-old pastor was killed when a large wooden sign collapsed onto festivalgoers during a gathering in West Sussex.
The victim has been identified as Pastor Robert Guanco, a minister at Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex. He died on Friday, August 28, 2026, during the Big Church Festival at Wiston Park near Steyning.
Pastor killed in sudden accident
According to reports, a large overhead wooden structure bearing the words “Everything’s Unmissable” toppled onto people at the festival.
Witnesses said a strong gust of wind appeared to knock the structure down.
Festival goers immediately rushed towards the scene, with dozens of people reportedly helping to lift the heavy sign and assist those who had been trapped underneath.
Guanco was pronounced dead at the scene.
Six other people were injured, with four of them taken to hospital for treatment, according to reports from British media.
The incident happened as thousands of Christians gathered for the three-day Big Church Festival, which features worship, Christian music and other activities.
His church mourns beloved pastor
Following the tragedy, Jesus Living Water Church confirmed Guanco’s death and paid tribute to him as a devoted Christian leader whose ministry had touched numerous lives.
The church described him as a faithful servant of God, a loving husband to his wife, Isay, and a devoted father to their daughter, Ellie.
The tribute painted a picture of a pastor who was deeply involved in the lives of those around him, not only through preaching but also through prayer, encouragement and personal support.
His death therefore left a particularly painful void among members of his congregation, friends and relatives who had gathered at what was expected to be a celebration of faith.
The accident forced organisers to make the difficult decision to end the 2026 edition of the Big Church Festival prematurely.
The event had been scheduled to continue until Sunday, but organisers announced that the remaining programme would be cancelled following the incident.
Organisers expressed their devastation and extended their condolences to Guanco’s family, the injured people and everyone who witnessed the incident.
The tragedy also interrupted the festival’s livestream. Viewers watching remotely were informed that the broadcast had been paused because of “unforeseen circumstances”, before details of the incident emerged.
Police investigate circumstances
Sussex Police are investigating how the large structure collapsed.
Authorities have urged people who witnessed the incident or captured relevant footage to come forward as investigators work to establish exactly what happened.
The Health and Safety Executive and the local authority have also been informed as part of the investigation.
The investigation is expected to examine the structure, weather conditions, installation arrangements and other safety considerations surrounding the festival site.
Questions after heartbreaking death
Beyond the immediate shock, the incident has left festivalgoers grappling with difficult questions about how such a tragedy could happen during a major Christian gathering.
Theologian and author Andy Ollerton, who witnessed the aftermath, said people were left questioning both the practical circumstances surrounding the accident and the deeper spiritual questions raised by such an unexpected death.
For Guanco’s family and church community, however, the focus has been on remembering the life he lived and the people he influenced.
A fundraising appeal has also been launched to help his wife and daughter deal with the financial and practical challenges following his sudden death.
The Big Church Festival tragedy has consequently transformed what was meant to be a weekend of worship and celebration into a period of mourning, with Pastor Robert Guanco remembered by his church as a man whose faith, kindness and service left a lasting mark.
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