Dozens Hurt in Stampede at South Carolina Bike Festival (Video)

A Memorial Day weekend motorcycle festival in South Carolina briefly descended into chaos early Sunday after a sudden crowd stampede left at least 19 people injured.

The frightening scene unfolded just after 1 a.m. near a stage at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in Atlantic Beach, a small coastal town about 17 miles north of Myrtle Beach.

Officials said the panic may have started when one person suddenly began running through the crowd, triggering a chain reaction that sent others scrambling.

“At no time were there any confirmed fights, weapons, or direct threats to public safety,” Atlantic Beach Interim Town Manager Titus Leaks said in a statement. He said the rush lasted only seconds but was enough to injure multiple people.

Horry County Fire Rescue initially described the scene as a “mass casualty incident.” Crews evaluated 19 people for non-life-threatening injuries, and three were taken to the hospital.

Police officers assigned to crowd control quickly moved in, calmed the situation, and restored order, officials said. Once the scene was stabilized, the festival resumed.

The Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival has been a Memorial Day weekend tradition for roughly 40 years, drawing motorcycle enthusiasts and visitors from across the country.

But the latest scare comes after last year’s event was overshadowed by several serious incidents, including a party boat shooting in nearby Little River and multiple fights that sent people to the hospital.

Leaks said town officials remain focused on safety.

“Any situation where individuals are harmed is taken seriously,” he said. “The safety and well-being of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority.”

The incident is now another troubling reminder of how fast a packed public event can turn dangerous, even without a confirmed weapon, fight, or direct threat.