Daijiworld Media Network - Summerton

Summerton, May 26: A woman lost her life after being struck by a patio umbrella during sudden strong winds at a lakeside restaurant in South Carolina over the Memorial Day weekend, officials said.

The incident took place on Saturday evening at a restaurant located along Lake Marion in Summerton. According to the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office, the woman and her husband were dining on the outdoor patio when a sudden gust of wind lifted an umbrella from a table, striking her in the head and neck area.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and found the woman unresponsive with severe injuries. She was declared dead on the spot, officials said.

The victim, a resident of Huger in South Carolina, is yet to be formally named. Authorities said an autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. The death has been classified as an accident and is under investigation.

The restaurant, Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator, confirmed the incident and described it as part of a sudden severe weather event over Lake Marion. In a statement on social media, the management expressed condolences and said the tragedy had deeply affected guests, staff, first responders and the local community.

The restaurant also said it had organised a support session with authorities, chaplains and others to help those impacted by the incident and appealed for privacy and prayers for the grieving family.