Woman tragically dies after being hit by patio umbrella at restaurant

A South Carolina diner has died after being struck by a loose restaurant parasol, officials have confirmed.

On 23 May, a woman, identified by the Clarendon County Coroner’s Office as Dana Winger, 56, was eating food with her husband at the Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator on the banks of Lake Marion in Summerton when a strong gust of wind dislodged an umbrella from a table.

Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell said that the outdoor object was picked up by a ‘sudden, powerful burst of wind’.

“It was a strong, strong wind, like a microburst that came through and knocked not just the umbrella, it knocked all of the furniture, and other debris came onto where they were sitting,” she informed KTVB.

A sheriff confirmed that the Huger woman was hit on the head and the neck by the umbrella and that she became unresponsive as a result.

Dana Winger, South Carolina diner, has died after being struck with an outdoor umbrella (Facebook)

First responders were called to the venue at around 7.40pm over the Memorial Day weekend, but were unable to revive Winger, who suffered a fatal laceration to her carotid artery as per Blackwell.

She added: “This is not an everyday occurrence. This is just one of those tragic things that happen.”

The coroner told the BBC that the freak case is being investigated as an accident.

The New York Post reported that tributes have poured in for the ‘great woman’ across social media, with one family friend writing that she was ‘loved by many’.

“I love you forever, Mrs Dana. I’m so sorry,” wrote Cameron Winger, the son of Dana’s husband Frank.

In a subsequent post, he said: “Just because y’all are no longer here with us doesn’t mean y’all won’t live through us.

“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.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Driftwood Grill said that its hearts were with Winger’s family, friends, and loved ones, as per the BBC.

The establishment has issued a statement following the customer's death (Facebook/Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator)

“This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved, and we are grateful for the continued support, prayers, understanding, and encouragement being shown throughout the area.”

“Out of respect for the family and those impacted, we ask for continued prayers, compassion, and privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” the restaurant continued.

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