Pastor named after fatal sign fall at Christian festival

Robert Guanco, 41, a pastor at Jesus Living Water church in Eastbourne, has been named as the man who died after a large wooden sign fell at a Christian festival on Friday. His church paid tribute, describing him as having "touched many lives." Reports differ on whether the festival was in East Sussex or West Sussex.

Coverage from 3 publishers 3 source reports

BBCSkyGuardian

Man killed at Christian festival named as 'loving' and 'devoted' pastor

Update summary

What changed in this update

3 publishers and 3 source reports documented this archived update.

Event intelligence

Big Church festival sign collapse

2 connected story threads

Current state

Robert Guanco, a 41-year-old pastor at Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne, died after a large sign fell at the Big Church Christian festival near Steyning, West Sussex, on Friday afternoon; at least six other people were injured and his church has paid tribute to him.

Grounded in 5 reports across 4 sources

In this event Man, 41, dies after large sign falls at Christian festival in West Sussex Earlier coverage

Source coverage

Source reports

BBC Published 30 August 2026

Church leads tributes for man killed at festival

Guardian Published 30 August 2026

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

Sky Published 30 August 2026

Man killed at Christian festival named as 'loving' and 'devoted' pastor

A man killed at a Christian festival in West Sussex has been identified as pastor Robert Guanco.

More news

Also in the news

Michael Marra named new leader of Scottish Labour

UK 3h ago Developing

Michael Marra named Scottish Labour leader

Michael Marra has been elected as the new leader of Scottish Labour, succeeding Anas Sarwar. Sarwar quit Holyrood to join Andy Burnham’s Westminster government. The announcement was made on 19 September 2026.

3 references

BBCGuardianSky

Buckingham Palace hits back over claims made in Earl Spencer book

UK 18h ago Established

Earl Spencer defends memoir claims about King Charles after Diana's death

Earl Spencer has defended explosive claims in his upcoming memoir about King Charles's behaviour after Princess Diana's death, including that Charles said "we'll forget her soon enough" and sounded "giddily elated" in a phone call. Buckingham Palace has disputed the claims. Spencer told the BBC he is telling the truth and said the late Queen also responded "tetchily" after the crash.

10 references

SkyBBCGuardian

Discovery

See what’s emerging. See what’s changing.

Explore stories gaining momentum and continuing events with new developments.

Explore Discovery