Pastor Killed in Freak Accident at Christian Festival

A beloved pastor and father was killed in a horrifying accident at one of Britain’s largest Christian festivals when a massive wooden arch collapsed onto a group of visitors, leaving six others injured.

Now, nearly seven weeks after the tragedy, an official inquest has revealed new details about how 41-year-old Robert Guanco lost his life during what was supposed to be a joyful weekend of worship, music and fellowship.

Guanco, a pastor at Jesus the Living Water Church in Eastbourne, England, died August 28 after a large wooden structure fell across a temporary roadway at the Big Church Festival in West Sussex.

The accident unfolded shortly after the three-day Christian gathering opened near Steyning, approximately 50 miles south of London.

According to Sussex Police, emergency services were called at approximately 3:38 p.m. after receiving reports that a large festival sign had fallen onto several people.

Guanco died at the scene. Six other festivalgoers were injured, with four requiring hospital treatment.

During an inquest hearing in Brighton on Wednesday, October 14, officials confirmed that Guanco suffered multiple severe injuries and blunt force trauma when the wooden arch collapsed.

The structure had been positioned above a temporary road used by people attending the event.

Witnesses previously reported that strong winds swept through the festival grounds before the structure fell, prompting bystanders to rush forward and attempt to lift it.

However, investigators have not yet determined exactly why the arch collapsed or whether its installation and safety precautions met required standards.

The hearing also provided a glimpse into the life of the man whose death devastated an entire church community.

Guanco was born in the Philippines and later settled in Eastbourne, where he worked as a health care assistant while serving as a pastor.

He was married to his wife, Isaeli, and was the devoted father of their young daughter, Ellie.

His sudden death left his family facing an unimaginable loss.

Speaking after the inquest opened, Isaeli described the painful reality of losing her husband without warning.

Just weeks before the accident, she had been planning their daughter’s birthday celebration. Instead, she found herself preparing for his funeral.

She said the tragedy had brought overwhelming grief to their family and expressed hope that the investigation would establish what happened.

Isaeli also said she wanted answers that could help prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss.

Guanco’s church remembered him as a compassionate spiritual leader whose faith shaped every part of his life.

“Pastor Robert was a faithful servant of God, a loving husband to Isay, a devoted and caring father to Ellie,” the church said in an emotional tribute.

Fellow worshippers described him as a humble and generous man who regularly offered encouragement, guidance and prayers to others.

His death was particularly devastating because he had been attending a gathering dedicated to celebrating the Christian faith.

Big Church Festival, which began in 2009, attracts thousands of worshippers for a weekend of Christian music, prayer, performances and family activities.

The event was scheduled to run from August 28 through August 30 at Wiston Estate near Steyning.

But the celebration came to an abrupt halt following the accident.

Organizers canceled the remainder of the festival, saying they were devastated by the loss of life and concerned for everyone affected.

“We are heartbroken,” organizers said in a public statement, confirming that they were cooperating with police and safety investigators.

The event’s livestream was also suspended as emergency crews responded to the scene.

In the weeks following the tragedy, support poured in from Christians across Britain and beyond.

Friends and members of the church established an online fundraiser to help Guanco’s widow and daughter with funeral expenses and the financial challenges of losing a husband and father.

By October 14, the campaign had collected more than £243,000, approaching its £250,000 fundraising goal.

The extraordinary response reflected the lasting impact Guanco had made through his ministry and personal relationships.

Meanwhile, authorities continue investigating whether the accident could have been prevented.

Sussex Police initially launched an investigation in coordination with other agencies, while the Health and Safety Executive and local authorities were notified.

Horsham District Council is continuing a health and safety investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Officials have said multiple lines of inquiry remain open, including questions about the structure and conditions at the festival site.

No final findings of negligence or wrongdoing have been announced.

Wednesday’s inquest was formally opened by area coroner Joseph Turner, who offered condolences to Guanco’s family.

The proceedings were then adjourned until March 9, 2027, when a pre-inquest review is scheduled to take place in Horsham.

That hearing will allow the coroner to assess progress in gathering evidence before a full examination of the circumstances surrounding Guanco’s death.

For his grieving wife and daughter, the legal process represents a painful but important step toward understanding why a celebration of faith ended in tragedy.

Guanco’s funeral has already taken place, but his church community continues remembering the pastor whose kindness and devotion touched so many lives.

What began as a weekend of worship ended with a family mourning the loss of a father, a congregation grieving its pastor and investigators facing difficult questions about the safety of a major public event.

And while the official investigation continues, those who knew Guanco say his legacy will be defined not by the tragedy that ended his life, but by the faith, compassion and love he shared with others.