Early Sunday morning, a crowd surge led to injuries at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. At least 19 individuals were evaluated for injuries, as reported by officials.
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene around 1:05 a.m. near a stage area on South Ocean Boulevard, following initial reports of a stampede. None of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.
A spokesperson for Horry County Fire Rescue stated, “With the help of on-scene law enforcement, 19 patients were located and evaluated for injuries. Three people were transported to the hospital while others may have sought medical assistance independently.”
Given the number of injuries, Horry County Fire Rescue categorized the situation as a mass casualty incident to streamline the emergency response.
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The Town of Atlantic Beach issued a statement revealing the incident was triggered by a single person who began running, setting off a brief chain reaction within the crowd. Officials conveyed their concern for those affected and assured vigilance in safety measures.
Law enforcement and emergency response teams stationed throughout the festival swiftly addressed the situation. Emergency Medical Services treated injured attendees on-site before the festival continued as planned.
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No fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety occurred, as noted by town officials. Despite crowd-control measures in place, including traffic suspensions into Atlantic Beach, the incident took place.
The town emphasized the isolated nature of the event, not reflecting the festival’s overall success. Annually held for over 40 years, the Black Pearl Festival remains popular, drawing visitors nationwide for Memorial Day weekend festivities.
Authorities, alongside public safety partners, plan to review the incident for potential safety enhancements moving forward. The festival historically attracts crowds exceeding 400,000, overlapping with broader Memorial Day visitors in the Myrtle Beach area.
According to Horry County Fire Rescue, there are no additional updates on the situation currently. Sophia Compton, a Fox News Digital writer, reported on the incident, drawing on her background in business news and journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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