- At least 19 people were evaluated for injuries early Sunday during a "stampede" at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, according to officials.
- Three people were transported to the hospital with injuries, while others may have self-transported to local hospitals, reported Horry County Fire Rescue.
- Horry County Fire Rescue declared a mass casualty incident to coordinate emergency response due to the number of reported injuries.
- The chaos reportedly began when one person started running, which triggered a brief chain reaction within the crowd, according to a statement from the Town of Atlantic Beach.
- Town officials confirmed that there were no confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety during the event.
- The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival is an annual event that occurs during Memorial Day weekend and has reported crowds exceeding 400,000.
At least 19 people were evaluated for injuries following a stampede during the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, early Sunday. Officials reported three individuals were transported to the hospital, while others may have self-transported.16
The Horry County Fire Rescue declared a mass casualty incident to coordinate emergency response due to the number of injuries. Town officials indicated that the panic began when a single person started running, leading to a brief chain reaction within the crowd, lasting only seconds. The incident reflects an isolated event amid the festival's larger success, which draws crowds exceeding 400,000 during Memorial Day weekend.3
“We want to express our sincere concern for anyone who was injured or impacted,” the Town of Atlantic Beach commented, emphasizing that “at no time were there any confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety.” Despite the chaos, festival organizers highlighted that such incidents are unfortunate but not representative of the overall event.
The festival remains a significant cultural gathering in the region, celebrating heritage through motorcycle rallies and communal activities, with safety measures being reviewed post-incident.
“At least 19 people were evaluated for injuries in a stampede during the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival. Officials indicated no confirmed fights or threats to public safety occurred during the incident.”
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