Horry County Fire Rescue evaluated 19 patients for injuries after a reported stampede incident in Atlantic Beach early Sunday morning, May 24. 

At 1:05 a.m., HCFR says they were dispatched to the stage area near South Ocean Boulevard in Atlantic Beach for the incident. 

There were 19 patients “located and evaluated” for injuries, HCFR said. None were believed to be life-threatening injuries. 

Three were transported to the hospital; HCFR says there was a possibility of others self-transporting to local hospitals.

Atlantic Beach Bike Fest has been ongoing over the weekend and continues through Memorial Day.

According to a release sent out by the Town of Atlantic Beach, there were no confirmed “fights, weapons or direct threats to public safety”. The town said the situation was triggered when an individual began running, which caused a “brief chain reaction within the crowd.”

The town says SLED and SCDNR personnel responded. SLED accessed the stage and took control of the situation, addressing the crowd multiple times, communicating that no incident had occurred and that individuals had “simply started running”, the release said. 

A mass casualty incident was declared by HCFR due to the number of reported patients. It is unclear what led to the stampede.

Atlantic Beach’s Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks provided a statement in the release:

“Our focus is on making sure people understand what actually occurred and the measures that were in place,” said Leaks. “This was a brief crowd reaction that was quickly identified and managed by law enforcement who were already in position. We planned ahead, we responded quickly, and we will continue to build on that to ensure the safety of everyone who visits Atlantic Beach.”

More information will be shared as it becomes available.