A father and pastor died after a large wooden sign collapsed on him during high winds at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex, prompting organisers to cancel the remainder of the event. Robert Guanco, 41, from Eastbourne, was killed when the archway fell on Friday, and six others were injured, four of whom were taken to hospital. Sussex Police are investigating whether the structure had been properly secured, and the tragedy has cast a shadow over an event intended to draw around 40,000 attendees.

Mr Guanco was pastor at Jesus the Living Water Church, and his congregation described him as a "faithful servant of God" and devoted family man. A witness, Fred Abbott, said a "massive crack and bang" was heard before around 30 to 50 people rushed to lift the fallen sign, which read "Everything's Unmissable", finding several people motionless on the ground. The Met Office had warned of strong winds over the Bank Holiday weekend, with gusts of up to 27mph recorded nearby, and festival organisers scrapped the remaining two days of performances, which were due to feature more than 60 music artists and worship leaders.