Archbishop of Canterbury ‘sad and shocked’ after Christian festival death

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally (PA) PA Wire Helen William 2 minutes ago The Archbishop of Canterbury has said she was “sad and shocked” to hear that a man died after a large sign fell at a Christian festival.

Police were called to the scene at the Big Church Festival (BCF) off Washington Road near Steyning, on Friday afternoon, where the man, 41, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, was pronounced dead.

Organisers of the BCF, billed as the UK’s biggest Christian Festival, said they were “devastated by the serious incident” which also injured six others.

Archbishop Dame Sarah Mullally said: “I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve.

“I pray for those receiving treatment, and the healthcare workers looking after them.

“And I pray too for the other festival goers, staff and event organisers as they come to terms with these tragic events.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Six patients in total were assessed and treated at the scene.

“Four of those patients were taken to a local hospitals for further treatment, including two patients with more serious injuries and two patients with less serious injuries.”

The spokesman added: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who sadly lost his life, and with everyone affected by this tragic incident.”

Organisers have now cancelled the rest of the event, had been due to run Sunday, after the death on the opening day.

ParentFuel, a Christian parent support organisation, said its people who attended the festival were ”all devasted but safe”.

In a statement, it added: ”We cannot praise the BCF team enough for the way things have been handled.

“We are currently sat in the volunteer tent with a brew in hand, worship music being played and the warmth of chatter around us.

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