Stampede Injures 19 at Cultural Festival in Atlantic Beach

At least 19 people sustained injuries early Sunday during a stampede at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. Emergency teams responded promptly to a stage area along South Ocean Boulevard following reports of the incident, which took place at around 1:05 a.m. According to Horry County Fire Rescue, no injuries were life-threatening.

Officials reported that 19 individuals were located and assessed for injuries with assistance from law enforcement. Three people were transported to a hospital, while others likely sought medical attention independently. Horry County Fire Rescue declared a mass casualty incident to efficiently coordinate emergency responses for those affected.

The Town of Atlantic Beach conveyed their concerns for those harmed, explaining that the stampede was triggered when one person began running, causing a brief chain reaction among the crowd.

Law enforcement and emergency personnel, already present throughout the event, responded swiftly. Injured attendees received treatment on-site, allowing the festival to continue its normal operations thereafter.

No confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety were reported during the festival. Crowd-control measures were implemented over the weekend, including temporarily suspending incoming traffic to Atlantic Beach Friday and Saturday evenings.

The town emphasized that this isolated incident did not detract from the overall success of the event. Held for over 40 years, the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival attracts visitors nationwide due to the positive experiences it offers.

Officials plan to review the incident with public safety partners to identify further improvements for crowd safety. The festival coincides with the Myrtle Beach-area Memorial Day weekend activities, drawing crowds exceeding 400,000 for various entertainment events.