At least 19 individuals were injured during a stampede on Sunday morning in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. Horry County Fire Rescue teams responded to the incident around 1:05 a.m. They found the injured near a ‘stage area’ close to South Ocean Boulevard, with support from local law enforcement.
Though officials did not specify the event by name, the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival was active in the area during the Memorial Day weekend. This festival is known to attract large crowds, reaching up to 40,000 attendees each year.
Rescue crews arrived promptly at the location after reports of a stampede. Among those affected, three people required transportation to a hospital for further treatment. Others sought medical care independently. All injuries sustained are considered non-life-threatening, as reported by Horry County Fire Rescue.
The cause of the stampede has not been disclosed. The annual festival continues to be a large draw for visitors each Memorial Day weekend, contributing to the area’s significant influx of people.