Updated: Garden City woman impaled by beach umbrella, died from chest trauma, coroner says

A woman was impaled by a beach umbrella in Garden City Beach yesterday, according to Tamara Willard, chief deputy coroner.

63-year-old Tammy Perreault died at 1:31 p.m. yesterday at an emergency room in Waccamaw from chest trauma, Willard reported.

Perreault was from Horry County.

In a release from Thomas Bell, a public information officer for Horry County, it was noted that the umbrella went “airborne” and struck Perreault as she was sitting on the beach.

“We understand a number of good Samaritans and off-duty medical professionals did provide initial care to the victim on the beach. Their actions to offer comfort and first aid are honorable and appreciated. Thank you also to first responders from Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Rescue, Horry County Police Department Beach Patrol, and Beach Services, Ltd., who provided emergency medical services and transportation to an area hospital,” Bell wrote in the release.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission outlines that beach umbrellas must be buried at least two feet deep, at an angle towards the wind and weighed down.