A woman was eating at a restaurant. Then she was killed by an umbrella

A woman was killed at a South Carolina restaurant over the weekend when an airborne umbrella hit her in the head and neck, local officials confirmed.

The woman, identified as 56-year-old Dana Winger, was eating out on the patio at Driftwood Grill in Summerton, South Carolina, on Lake Marion when she was killed on Saturday, May 23, the Clarendon County Coroner's Office said in a news release sent to USA TODAY.

Someone called dispatchers around 7:40 p.m. that night about a laceration, according to the news release. Clarendon EMS and Fire Rescue showed up to help as well as police officers.

Officials found Winger unresponsive, noting that she had a laceration to her head and neck area.

“EMS followed protocol but could not revive her,” the coroner states in the news release. “A sudden strong wing blew an umbrella from a table which struck (Winger).”

The coroner’s office pronounced her dead about an hour after the initial call for help. The coroner said no one else was injured that day.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, and the case is being investigated as an accident, the coroner said in the news release.

'This has deeply affected many people in our community': Restaurant, community members respond to tragedy

Driftwood Grill, where the incident occurred, made multiple Facebook posts after the woman died, first posting on Sunday evening, the day after her death.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident during last night’s sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion,” the restaurant wrote. “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.”

On Monday, May 25, the restaurant thanked the Clarendon County Fire Department, Fire Marshal’s Office and other agencies who responded to the scene and helped. The restaurant said there was an outpour of support for the restaurant and community members on Monday, and that Winger’s death has deeply impacted many people in the community, first responders included.

“Today’s support session meant more than words can express to many people who have been emotionally affected by the events of that evening,” the restaurant wrote. 

Loved ones shared photos of Winger once they found out about her death. One Facebook user said Winger was a second mother to her children.

“Missing her so much,” the user wrote. “This lady … is not a friend. She is family. Second Mom to my kids. I can't get over this. It hurts more than I can imagine.”

Another user shared photos of Winger and said she stepped up to support them for over a decade.

"Mrs. Dana, I promise I will make sure dad and our lake family is okay as well," the user wrote. "Y’all both made such a great impact on everyone y’all came in contact with and there’s nothing in the world that could make up for what has happened."

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at [email protected].