Flying umbrella kills dining South Carolina woman in horrifying accident

The woman killed during a freak accident in South Carolina has been identified by the Clarendon County Coroner.

Dana Winger, 56, was dining at the Driftwood Grill on the Lake Marion shore on May 23 when a heavy storm came through the area, dislodging a restaurant umbrella that struck her in the head and neck. Emergency services were immediately contacted, but efforts to revive the unresponsive Winger were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced deceased an hour after the shocking incident.

“An autopsy will be performed on Winger’s body at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on Wednesday. The case is being investigated as an accident, according to the coroner,” The Daily Mail reported.

Heather Iosa wrote a heartwrenching Facebook post memorializing her friend as the community continues to reel from the sudden loss.

“This is so very hard. Dana has been there with me through thick and [thin]. Help raised my kids. When they were younger never missed a game nothing with them. As they’ve gotten older, she’s been there for the most important part of their lives. I’m so glad we had dinner just two weeks ago and I got to see you. She has the biggest heart ever and I’m going to miss her so very much,” Iosa wrote.

X users reacted to the story:

That is a nightmare. You just never know when your number is up, do you?

— JTGArizona (@ArizonaJTG) May 26, 2026

Apparently this is a FAR bigger issue than I ever realized.https://t.co/tJUPGHrWE5

— C. Gray (@angelwakingup2) May 26, 2026

Sorry but restaurants & residents need to be held responsible for unsecured objects & signs that get caught in the wind & maim the innocent.

— ⚜️Mission⚜️ (@MissionUniX) May 26, 2026

I read that on MSM earlier…there was a similar case, I think in FL(?) maybe a year or so ago. Pretty crazy as I’m around umbrellas a LOT. Guess I need to be wary. Final Destination vibes!! Kinda like a lightening strike.

— ▪️ ▪️Redacted ▪️▪️⚡️ (@SwampLifeCowgrl) May 26, 2026

A reminder to not take life for granted it can really be over in a moment, prayers with her family…

— Lies Or Liars (@Liesorliars) May 26, 2026

Some things just don’t make sense here on earth. May the memories her family have stay etched in their hearts until they are reunited again.

— Darlene Schmitt Faith-Family-Real Estate (@dschmitt777) May 26, 2026

Unbelievable tragedy. Patio umbrellas need to be bolted down heavily or closed immediately in strong winds.

— ㅣKĒVINㅣ (@KAMBOHSAAB3) May 26, 2026

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