Trending Now - Nineteen Hurt in Crowd Surge at South Carolina Biker Festival

WHO:

WPDE - Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks stated, "This was a brief crowd reaction that was quickly identified and managed by law enforcement who were already in position."

Fox News - Atlantic Beach Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks expressed concern for those injured, stating, "Any situation where individuals are harmed is taken seriously, and our thoughts are with those affected as they recover."

[01:05 AM] - Fox News - Horry County Fire Rescue reported that 19 people were evaluated for injuries.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - Atlantic Beach Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks provided statements regarding the incident.

WHAT:

Fox News - Horry County Fire Rescue reported that three people were transported to the hospital with injuries, with the possibility of others self-transporting to local hospitals.

WPDE - SLED personnel quickly accessed the stage and took control of the situation, addressing the crowd multiple times and clearly communicating that no incident had occurred and that individuals had simply started running.

Fox News - Horry County Fire Rescue declared the incident a "mass casualty incident" to coordinate emergency response due to the number of reported injuries.

Yahoo - Police suspect the stampede was triggered by an individual who suddenly began running through the crowd.

Fox News - Horry County Fire Rescue reported that none of the injuries appeared life-threatening.

Fox News - Emergency personnel treated injured attendees at the scene before the festival resumed normal operations.

Fox News - The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival is reported to draw crowds in excess of 400,000 to the area during Memorial Day weekend.

[01:05 AM] - Fox News - A "stampede" occurred during the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, resulting in at least 19 injuries.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - The stampede was classified as a "mass casualty incident" by Horry County Fire Rescue.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - Three individuals were transported to the hospital with injuries, while others may have self-transported.

WHERE:

[01:05 AM] - Fox News - The incident took place at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - Atlantic Beach is located approximately 17 miles north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

WHEN:

[01:05 AM] - Fox News - The crowd surge occurred early on May 24, 2026, around 1:05 a.m. local time.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival has been held every Memorial Day weekend for the past 40 years.

WHY:

[01:05 AM] - Fox News - The stampede was triggered when one person began running through the crowd, causing a brief chain reaction.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - There were no confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety during the incident.

HOW:

WPDE - The town emphasized that crowd-control measures were in place, including law enforcement already stationed throughout the event.

Yahoo - Police officers assigned to crowd control quickly calmed the panicked crowd and restored order after the incident.

[01:05 AM] - Fox News - Emergency crews responded immediately to the scene after reports of the stampede.

[01:05 AM] - Yahoo - Police officers assigned to crowd control quickly calmed the panicked crowd and restored order.

(UPDATED May 25, 2026 13:55 UTC)

A brief crowd reaction at a recent event was quickly managed by law enforcement, according to Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks. Horry County Fire Rescue reported that three individuals were transported to the hospital for injuries, while others may have self-transported to local facilities. SLED personnel swiftly took control of the situation, reassuring the crowd that no incident had occurred and that the commotion was simply due to people running.

(UPDATED May 25, 2026 06:20 UTC)

A stampede at a crowded event has led to a mass casualty incident, prompting Horry County Fire Rescue to coordinate an emergency response due to the number of reported injuries. Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks expressed concern for those affected, stating that any situation where individuals are harmed is taken seriously, and their thoughts are with those as they recover. Police suspect the chaos was triggered by an individual who suddenly began running through the crowd, but officers assigned to crowd control quickly calmed the situation and restored order.

(UPDATED May 25, 2026 04:17 UTC)

Emergency personnel treated injured attendees at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, where none of the injuries appeared life-threatening. Police officers assigned to crowd control quickly calmed the panicked crowd and restored order, allowing the festival to resume normal operations. This popular event is expected to draw crowds in excess of 400,000 to the area during Memorial Day weekend.

(UPDATED May 25, 2026 01:35 UTC)

A stampede during the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, resulted in at least 19 injuries, with three individuals transported to the hospital. Horry County Fire Rescue classified the incident as a "mass casualty incident" after a person began running through the crowd, triggering a brief chain reaction, although there were no confirmed fights or threats to public safety. Emergency crews and police quickly responded to the scene, calming the panicked crowd and restoring order.