Man killed by falling sign at Christian festival named as church pays tribute

Robert Guanco, 41, a pastor at Jesus Living Water church in Eastbourne, described as having ‘touched many lives’ A 41-year-old man who died after a large wooden sign fell at a Christian festival on Friday has been named as Robert Guanco, a pastor at a church in Eastbourne, East Sussex. A tribute from his church on Sunday described him as a respected pastor who was a “loving husband” and “a devoted and caring father”. Six other people were injured when the overhead sign fell at the Big Church festival (BCF) near Steyning in West Sussex, including four who were taken to hospital. Festivalgoers said they rushed to lift the heavy sign, which read “Everything’s Unmissable”, after it was blown over in the wind. Jesus Living Water church in Eastbourne named Guanco, describing him as “our beloved brother, friend and pastor”, in a GoFundMe to help his family, who it said faced “unimaginable loss” following his death.

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Scoop News DeskEastbourne, Delaware · Published Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 6:42 PM UTCUpdated Monday, August 31, 2026 at 7:51 PM UTC

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Through his ministry, kindness, prayers and encouragement, he touched many lives. “His passing is deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.” Organisers of the BCF, billed as the UK’s biggest Christian festival, said they were “heartbroken” by Guanco’s death and cancelled the rest of the event. “We are devastated by the serious incident that took place at Big Church festival 2026, in which Pastor Robert Guanco tragically lost his life and others were injured,” they said in a statement. “First and foremost, all of our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their families and friends, and everyone who witnessed what happened.

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