Woman killed by flying patio umbrella while dining at South Carolina restaurant

A South Carolina woman dining at a restaurant with her husband was killed Friday night after she was struck in the head and neck by a flying patio umbrella.

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Authorities were called to the Driftwood Grill in Summerton, South Carolina, at around 7:40 p.m. and found the woman, identified as Dana Winger, unresponsive with a laceration wound, the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office said in a statement.

Winger and her husband were eating at the restaurant when a gust of wind blew the umbrella from a table and hit her in the head and neck area, the coroner’s office said.

The case is being investigated as an accident, and an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Driftwood Grill said in a statement posted to Facebook on Monday that there was a “sudden severe weather event” in the area on Friday night.

“This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved. Out of respect for the family and those impacted, we ask for continued prayers, compassion, and privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said.

“We are grateful for the emergency personnel and community members who responded and assisted during the situation,” the restaurant said.