Pastor killed and six injured when wooden arch collapses at West Sussex Christian festival
A large wooden arch fell on a temporary road at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex, killing pastor Robert Guanco and injuring six others.
At the Big Church Festival (BCF) off Washington Road near Steyning, West Sussex, a wooden arch collapsed onto a temporary road, striking seven festival-goers. Pastor Robert Guanco, a 41-year-old health-care assistant from Eastbourne, was killed instantly, and six others sustained injuries, with four taken to hospital. Coroner Joseph Turner opened an inquest that listed multiple severe injuries and blunt force trauma as the provisional cause of death.
The coroner's officer noted Guanco was born in the Philippines, married, and a father. A tribute from the Jesus Living Water Church described him as a devoted husband, father, and pastor, and a GoFundMe page has collected more than £243,000 for his family. The incident prompted the festival's cancellation and has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive and Sussex Police.
Why it matters
The tragedy highlights safety risks at large public events and the impact on the victim's family and community.
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