What was supposed to be a joyful weekend of worship, music and fellowship in the English countryside turned into a scene of devastation on Friday, August 28, after a large wooden overhead sign collapsed at the Big Church Festival near Steyning in West Sussex.
The tragedy claimed the life of 41-year-old pastor Robert Guanco and left six other people injured, abruptly transforming a celebration of faith into a day of mourning.
Guanco, who led Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, was reportedly among those struck when the heavy wooden structure came crashing down amid strong winds.
The sign, which carried the words “Everything’s Unmissable,” became the centre of a horrifying incident that unfolded in a matter of seconds.
Witnesses described a desperate rush to help those caught underneath the structure. Festivalgoers reportedly worked together to lift the heavy sign and reach people trapped beneath it as emergency services responded to the scene.
Despite efforts to save him, Guanco died from injuries sustained in the collapse.
Six other people were injured, with four reportedly requiring hospital treatment. The incident left festivalgoers shocked as emergency crews and organisers dealt with the aftermath of the tragedy.
For Guanco’s church community, the loss has been particularly devastating. His congregation described him as a beloved brother, friend and pastor, remembering him as a man whose ministry was defined by kindness, prayer and encouragement.
Those who knew him spoke warmly of his devotion to his wife, Isay, and their daughter, Ellie, and of the warmth he brought into the lives of people around him.
His death has therefore left not only a grieving family but also a church community mourning a spiritual leader who had dedicated his life to serving others.
The tragedy also brought the festival to an immediate halt.
The Big Church Festival, which began in 2009 and has grown into one of the United Kingdom’s largest Christian gatherings, was due to continue with performances and worship sessions through Sunday. However, organisers cancelled the remaining programme following the fatal incident.
In a statement, organisers expressed their devastation and extended their sympathy to Guanco’s family, friends and church as they faced what they described as immense grief.
The tragedy also drew a response from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, who said she was “sad and shocked” by the incident. She offered prayers for Guanco’s family and loved ones, those receiving medical treatment, healthcare workers caring for the injured, as well as festivalgoers, staff and organisers affected by the tragedy.
Guanco’s death has cast a dark shadow over what had begun as a celebration centred on faith, hope and togetherness.
Those who knew the pastor remembered him as a dedicated minister who spent his life preaching the gospel, supporting families and encouraging people through difficult moments.
His final message, according to those close to him, reportedly reflected the very values he had spent years preaching—faith, love and perseverance in the face of life’s challenges.
Now, his family, congregation and friends are left to grapple with a painful reality: a man who spent his life encouraging others has become the subject of prayers and tributes following a sudden and heartbreaking death.
As investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse continue, religious leaders have expressed condolences to Guanco’s loved ones while also calling for greater attention to safety measures at large outdoor gatherings.
A weekend that promised music, worship and celebration will instead be remembered for the life of a pastor who never made it home.
