Stampede Injures 19 at Atlantic Beach Event

At least 19 people suffered injuries in a stampede early Sunday morning in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. Emergency response teams from Horry County Fire Rescue arrived at a stage area near South Ocean Boulevard around 1:05 a.m. They worked in coordination with local law enforcement to assist the injured individuals.

While officials have not explicitly named the event, the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival was taking place during that weekend. This annual festival attracts large crowds, with attendance reaching up to 40,000 people over Memorial Day weekend, as noted by the Town of Atlantic Beach.

Of the injured, three individuals required hospital treatment. Others sought medical attention independently. The injuries reported are non-life-threatening, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

The cause of the stampede remains undetermined. However, the incident occurred during a significant local event known for drawing a substantial number of attendees each year.