Woman Killed by Flying Umbrella at South Carolina Lakeside Restaurant During Sudden Storm

Emergency crews found Winger unresponsive, suffering from a laceration to her head and neck area.

Published: 5/26/2026, 11:54:36 PM EDT

Woman Killed by Flying Umbrella at South Carolina Lakeside Restaurant During Sudden Storm — Police tape in a stock photo. (Carl Ballou/Shutterstock)

A 56-year-old woman was killed on May 23 when a powerful gust of wind sent a table umbrella airborne at a lakeside restaurant, hitting her in the head and neck as she dined with her husband on the patio.

Dana Winger, a resident of Huger, South Carolina, was seated on the outdoor patio of the Driftwood Grill—Home of the Lazy Gator—when she was ultimately struck around 7:40 p.m., the Clarendon County Coroner's Office said in a statement sent to NTD News. The restaurant is located at 5321 Dingle Pond Road along Lake Marion in Summerton.

Dispatchers received a call reporting a laceration at that restaurant, and Clarendon County EMS, firefighters, and police responded. Emergency crews found Winger unresponsive, suffering from a laceration to her head and neck area. Despite life-saving efforts, paramedics were unable to revive her. The Clarendon County Coroner's Office pronounced her dead at 8:43 p.m., according to the coroner's news release.

The coroner's office said the case is being investigated as an accident. An autopsy has been scheduled for May 27 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Restaurant Releases Statement

The restaurant, which sits along the shores of Lake Marion—one of South Carolina's largest lakes—released a statement on Facebook the following day over what it described as a tragic incident during a sudden burst of severe weather.

"Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident during last night's sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion," the Driftwood Grill said in a Sunday Facebook post. "This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved."

The restaurant thanked emergency responders and asked the community to continue offering prayers and compassion to those affected, while also requesting privacy for the family.

On Monday, the Driftwood Grill posted another message thanking local officials who came to support those shaken by the tragedy, including the Clarendon County Fire Department, the Fire Marshal's Office, emergency personnel, chaplains, and grief support team members who met with staff, guests, and community members.

"Today's support session meant more than words can express to many people who have been emotionally affected by the events of that evening," the restaurant wrote.

The restaurant noted that additional emotional and grief support resources remain available.

Friends described her as a warm and giving presence whose impact stretched far beyond what any single description could capture.

"My friend, my sister, my family — one of the kindest and most beautiful souls God ever created," Melinda Brabham wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. "She loved everyone right where they were in life. And LOVED BIG!"

Heather Iosa, another close friend, also took to Facebook the following day to share her grief. "This lady is not a friend. She is family. Second Mom to my kids," Iosa wrote. "I can't get over this. It hurts more than I can imagine."

A man named Cameron Winger, who described Dana Winger and another individual as parental figures in his life, shared a tribute on Facebook Monday, writing that he had now lost two of the most influential people in his life within five months.

"Never in a million years did I expect or think I would lose two of the biggest impacts of my life and so many others in the span of 5 short months," Cameron Winger wrote. "The amount of love these two have shown me over the last 15-16 years has never gone unnoticed and I'll never be able to thank them for everything they have done for me."

He continued: "Mrs. Dana, I promise I will make sure dad and our lake family is okay as well. Just because y'all are no longer here with us doesn't mean y'all won't live through us."