An unfortunate incident occurred on a sunny Thursday morning in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when a woman lost her life after being struck by a Horry County Police Ford Ranger Pickup truck near the Nash Street beach access area close to Springmaid Pier.
According to sources, the tragic event unfolded around 1:05 p.m. as the police vehicle was patrolling the beach. Witnesses described a harrowing scene where beachgoers rushed to the aid of the woman who was pinned under the truck's wheel, with some attempting to lift the vehicle off her in a desperate bid to save her.
One witness, Amanda Bilodeau, recounted hearing the woman's piercing scream, prompting a swift response from those nearby. Dennis Miller, another bystander, shared how a group of men came together to try and free the trapped woman from beneath the vehicle.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) has taken over the investigation into the incident, with reports indicating that the truck was transitioning from the beach access ramp onto the sand when the collision occurred.
Tragically, despite efforts to save her, the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed pending family notification, succumbed to her injuries at Grand Strand Medical Center.
This heartbreaking event is not the first of its kind in Horry County, as a similar incident took place in 2020 when a beachgoer was struck by another Horry County patrol vehicle in Garden City.
In response to the tragedy, the Horry County Police Department expressed deep sorrow for the loss and acknowledged the community's pain and questions surrounding the incident. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave as investigations continue.
As the community mourns the loss of the woman and seeks answers, the authorities are working diligently to understand the circumstances that led to this devastating accident on the Myrtle Beach shoreline.
