South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Ocean, Myrtle Beach State Park, sunbathers and fishing pier. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
A 63-year-old beachgoer died Wednesday after being struck by a wind-driven umbrella along the Atlantic Ocean in Garden City Beach, South Carolina, authorities reported.
Horry County police said Tammy Perreault was in a beach access area when an umbrella from a nearby hotel was picked up off the ground and thrown into the victim.
Witnesses attended to the South Carolina resident until paramedics arrived and transported her to a nearby hospital, where authorities said she was pronounced deceased.
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The incident happened around 12:50 p.m., when the daily afternoon sea breeze was likely at its strongest.
A nearby weather observation site reported wind gusts of upwards of 30 mph, which is typical this time of year, the National Weather Service said.
RELATED: Severe weather in Delaware sends beach umbrellas flying into ocean: 'Downright apocalyptic-looking'
Strong sea breezes are common along the beaches of the Southeast and the Gulf Coast when the land’s temperature heats up greater than the temperature of the nearby water.
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Umbrellas fly above beach during storm
A recent storm sent beach umbrellas flying above the sand and sea at Bethany Beach in Delaware.
The difference in temperature and associated pressure causes a mini front to develop and work inland, which helps to cool coastal and inland areas.