The dad who was crushed to death by a falling sign at a Christian festival in West Sussex has been pictured for the first time.
Robert Guanco, 41, was killed when a wooden sign welcoming people to the Big Church Festival tipped over on Friday.
He was the pastor at Jesus Living Water Church in Eastbourne, which described him as a ‘blessing to so many people whose lives he touched’ in a social media post yesterday.
The post continued: ‘There are many things we may never fully understand, and our hearts may struggle to make sense of what has happened.
‘Yet, even in our deepest sorrow, we continue to trust in the sovereignty of God.’
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A GoFundMe page, set up for his wife, daughter and wider family, has now raised more than £1,500.
Six other people were injured in the incident, with four taken to hospital.
The festival’s organisers said they were ‘devastated’, and announced the event would be brought to an early close.
A post on Instagram said: ‘First and foremost, all of our thoughts are with those who have been affected, their families and friends, and everyone who witnessed what happened.’
Big Church Festival, which first took place in 2009, describes itself as the UK’s biggest Christian festival.
Among the headliners was gospel singer CeCe Winans, who wrote on her Facebook page: ‘Our prayers are with everyone impacted by what happened at Big Church Festival in England.
‘We pray for the families of those injured and the lost. We pray for the event staff. We pray for the emergency crews who responded.
‘We look to a future where we will come together with you again, but today we ask that you all join with us as we pray.’
Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullaly said she was ‘sad and shocked’ about the incident.
She said: ‘I pray for his family, friends and loved ones as they grieve. I pray for those receiving treatment, and the healthcare workers looking after them.
‘And I pray too for the other festival-goers, staff and event organisers as they come to terms with these tragic events.’
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