‘The most powerful scream’: Woman dies after being hit by HCPD truck on the beach

UPDATE: Horry County police have since provided a statement on the incident and have placed the officer involved on administrative leave.

Click here for our updated report.

The original report from Thursday can be read below in its entirety.

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – A woman has died after being hit by a Horry County Police Department truck on the beach Thursday afternoon, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol and witnesses.

WMBF News received several videos and pictures from people that show a Horry County police vehicle and several beachgoers near Springmaid Pier and they are surrounding the front of the truck.

One witness said the truck ran over a woman and pinned her underneath one of the wheels, and people tried to lift the police truck off of her.

Amanda Bilodeau said it all happened in an instant.

“I heard and saw nothing until I heard her scream and it was the most powerful scream, something that you can’t, like nothing from the movies or anything. It was just like pure fear or pain or both. Immediately myself and probably everybody on the beach turned around and just went running,” Bilodeau described.

SCHP said the truck was coming off the Nash Street beach access onto the beach when the truck hit the woman.

Another beachgoer, Dennis Miller, said bystanders immediately tried to help.

“She was pinned underneath the vehicle, so a bunch of men, we came over, we did our best to lift the car up off of her,” said Miller.

The victim was then taken to the Grand Strand Medical Center where she later died from her injuries.

WMBF News reached out to Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard, who said her office is waiting to notify the victim’s family before releasing any more information about her.

We asked the Horry County Police Department if they would provide a statement, but a spokesperson refused.

Witnesses like Miller say they feel truly sorry for all involved.

“We hate that anything like that happened, and as far as the lady, we’re just so sad for her, too,” said Miller. “It’s just an unfortunate accident.”

We will bring you updates on this developing story as they come into our newsroom.

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