South Carolina Woman Dies After Restaurant Umbrella Strikes Her at Lake Marion

A 56-year-old woman died Saturday night after a restaurant umbrella struck her on an outdoor patio at Lake Marion in Summerton, South Carolina. The woman was dining with relatives when a sudden, powerful burst of wind lifted the umbrella, which then severed her neck, according to Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell.

m. and found her unresponsive with head and neck injuries.

EMS personnel followed protocol but could not revive her, and she was pronounced dead about an hour later. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. The restaurant issued a statement saying the event has deeply affected guests, staff, first responders, and others in the community. Officials have not released further details on the cause of the wind gust.

friend Virginia Stephens Neville described the woman as "truly a great woman, loved by many." Another relative wrote that she had "the biggest heart ever" and that the family would carry forward the impact she made on those she met.