A tragic accident struck a Berkeley County family when a woman lost her life after being hit by a windblown umbrella while dining outdoors at a restaurant on the shores of Lake Marion.
The unfortunate incident took place on May 23 at the Driftwood Grill in Summerton, as confirmed by the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office.
Reports indicate that emergency responders were summoned around 7:40 p.m. to address a severe laceration. Upon their arrival, they found the woman unresponsive, suffering from critical injuries to her head and neck.
“Despite following all emergency protocols, EMS was unable to revive her,” stated Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell in an official release.
The coroner’s report detailed that the woman was enjoying a meal on the restaurant’s patio with her husband when a sudden gust of wind propelled an umbrella from a nearby table, resulting in the fatal blow.
The coroner’s office pronounced her dead at 8:43 p.m. She was identified as Dana Weinger of Huger.
An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. The death is being investigated as an accident.
The restaurant said the incident occurred as severe weather moved through the area.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Driftwood Grill expressed condolences to those affected.
“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident during last night’s sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion,” the statement said. “This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved.”
The restaurant also thanked emergency personnel who responded.