At least 19 individuals sustained injuries during a stampede that broke out at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 1:05 a.m. near South Ocean Boulevard, prompting a swift response from Horry County Fire Rescue and local law enforcement.
Cause of the Stampede
Authorities indicated that the stampede was triggered by a single person running, which set off a brief chain reaction within the crowd. Officials have confirmed that there were no fights, weapons, or any direct threats to public safety involved in the incident.
Injuries and Medical Response
Three of the injured were transported to local hospitals, while others sought medical treatment on their own. All injuries have been reported as non-life-threatening, according to emergency services.
Event Background
The annual Memorial Day weekend festival draws up to 40,000 visitors each year. Organizers had implemented multiple crowd-control measures ahead of the event. Authorities are now reviewing the incident to identify potential improvements for future safety protocols.
