UMVA has learned that a tragic accident claimed the life of a 56‑year‑old woman when a patio umbrella was ripped from its stand by a sudden gust of wind at a South Carolina restaurant.
Dana Winger of Huger was enjoying an evening meal with her husband and family on the Driftwood Grill patio in Summerton when the fierce wind snapped an umbrella loose, sending it careening through the air and striking her head and neck.
The coroner’s report described a victim found unresponsive with a severe laceration, and despite emergency responders’ best efforts, she could not be revived. An autopsy scheduled for Wednesday will determine the official cause of death.
Authorities are treating the incident as an accident, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Friends and family gathered on social media to honor Winger’s memory, recalling her “biggest heart ever” and the profound impact she had on those around her.
Her stepson expressed a promise to watch over the family, while a close family friend, who considered her a second mother, struggled to articulate the depth of her loss.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the community is rallying around the grieving loved ones, urging compassion and privacy as they navigate this unimaginable sorrow.
