19 injured in crowd stampede at South Carolina motorcycle festival
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Key Points:
- At least 19 people were injured in a crowd stampede early Sunday at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, following an individual running through the crowd near a stage.
- Authorities confirmed there were no fights, weapons, or direct threats involved; the panic was triggered by the sudden movement of one person, causing a brief chain reaction.
- Police quickly regained control, and the event resumed normal operations after the situation was stabilized; three individuals were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
- The festival, held annually on Memorial Day weekend for 40 years, draws motorcycle enthusiasts nationwide and has experienced safety incidents in previous years.
- Officials emphasized their concern for those injured and reaffirmed their commitment to public safety during the event.