At least 19 injured in South Carolina stampede at annual motorcycle rally

At least 19 people were injured in a stampede at an annual motorcycle rally Sunday morning in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, according to local officials.

Horry County Fire Rescue crews responded to a “stage area” near South Ocean Boulevard at around 1:05 a.m., where they located the patients with assistance from local law enforcement. The town of Atlantic Beach confirmed that the incident happened atthe Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival — held annually in the area over Memorial Day weekend.

A firetruck parked outside at night — Horry County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched near South Ocean Boulevard in Atlantic Beach, S.C., for reports of a stampede Sunday.Horry County Fire Rescue

Three people were transported to a hospital for treatment; others are believed to have sought care on their own. All injuries are considered non-life-threatening, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

In a statement, the town of Atlantic Beach said the event was triggered by a person who began running, “causing a brief chain reaction within the crowd that lasted only seconds.”

“SLED [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division] personnel quickly accessed the stage and took control of the situation, addressing the crowd multiple times and clearly communicating that no incident had occurred and that individuals had simply started running,” interim Town Manager Titus Leaks said in the statement. “Their swift response helped calm attendees and restore order.”

Leaks said, “At no time were there any confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety,” emphasizing that it was “a brief crowd reaction” that “was quickly identified and managed by law enforcement who were already in position.”

While the town is concerned for anyone who was injured, Leaks said the mishap “does not reflect the overall success of the event.”

“The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival has been held for over 40 years and continues to attract visitors from across the country because of the positive experience it provides,” he said.

The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival draws crowds of up to 40,000 people to Atlantic Beach each Memorial Day weekend, according to the town.

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