At least 19 injured in stampede at South Carolina bike festival

At least 19 people were injured after a stampede at a bike festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, according to local officials. None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

The incident happened at about 1:05 a.m. on Sunday near the stage area on South Ocean Boulevard during the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, a long-running motorcycle and cultural event held along the Grand Strand, the coastal region around Myrtle Beach.

Horry County Fire Rescue said crews were dispatched for a reported stampede incident and, with help from law enforcement at the scene, found and evaluated 19 patients.

Three people were taken to a hospital with injuries, according to fire officials. Others may have gone to local hospitals on their own.

Fire officials said a mass casualty incident was declared because of the number of reported patients.

In a statement, the Town of Atlantic Beach said the crowd reaction appeared to start when one person began running, setting off a brief chain reaction that lasted only seconds. Officials said there were no confirmed fights, weapons or direct threats to public safety.

Personnel with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) responded immediately, according to the town. SLED officers reached the stage and told the crowd that no incident had occurred and that people had simply started running.

“EMS was on site and provided prompt medical attention to those affected,” the town said. “Once the situation was stabilized, the event resumed normal operations.”