Fights, Stampede, Multiple Injuries Reported [WATCH]

Multiple people were injured after a series of fights triggered panic and a stampede during a Memorial Day weekend event at the Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival, also known as Black Bike Week, in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina.

The incident occurred late Saturday night during a concert as part of the annual motorcycle rally.

According to local reports, at least 10 individuals were taken to the hospital following the disturbance.

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Interim Town Manager Linda Cheatham confirmed that several people were hurt while attempting to flee the area after fights broke out in the crowd.

“There were a couple of fights that broke out causing panic in the crowd and several people were injured trying to leave the area,” Cheatham said in a statement.

“Adequate police and medical staff were on hand to aid as needed and transport individuals to the hospital. The music was paused, but the event continued until the festival closing time of 3 a.m.”

Images and videos posted to social media showed a heavy police presence amid the large crowds that filled the streets of Atlantic Beach for the popular event.

🚨#BREAKING: Emergency officials have declared a mass casualty incident during a concert at Black Bike Week
⁰📌#Atlanticbeach | #SouthCarolina

Emergency crews are currently on the scene in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, where officials have declared a mass casualty incident… pic.twitter.com/7iqmZK4Slt

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 25, 2025

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The scale of the crowd this year is expected to exceed 400,000 people, with the festival marking its 45th anniversary.

Atlantic Beach Interim Police Chief Carlos Castillo told WPDE that no further details would be released at this time, but said he plans to provide more information in a forthcoming update.

Additional information about the stampede was shared by an event attendee, Hilton Dewitt, in an interview with The Sun News.

Dewitt said that around 1 a.m., an argument broke out on the street near Ocean Boulevard, which led to people rushing toward the stage area in a panic.

He added that ambulances arrived quickly and law enforcement eventually shut down the concert.

According to Dewitt, “The police shut it down after the crowd got too out of control. People just started running.”

Horry County Police were reportedly among the agencies that responded and began dispersing the crowds as the situation escalated.

Despite the chaos, organizers allowed the event to continue after a temporary pause in the music.

The concert resumed and ran until the scheduled closing time of 3 a.m., as confirmed by officials.

Black Bike Week is one of the largest annual motorcycle rallies in the country and includes concerts, entertainment, meet-and-greets, and various social events.

The rally has been held in the Myrtle Beach area for decades and draws visitors from across the United States each year during Memorial Day weekend.

Officials have not yet confirmed whether the remainder of the festival will proceed as planned, and further updates from law enforcement are expected in the coming days as the investigation into the incident continues.

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