South Carolina wife killed by flying restaurant umbrella described as ‘truly great woman, loved by many’

A South Carolina wife killed in front of her family when a restaurant umbrella flew through the air and severed her neck has been described as someone who was a “truly great woman, loved by many.” 

Dana Winger, 56, was with her husband and other relatives on the patio at Driftwood Grill Home of the Lazy Gator at Lake Marion in Summerton Saturday night when the object struck her, WYFF reported.

The umbrella was picked up by a “sudden, powerful burst of wind,” Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell said.

An autopsy on Winger’s body is scheduled for Wednesday.

Tributes have been paid to Winger as family friend Virginia Stephens Neville described her as “truly a great woman, loved by many.”

Cameron Winger, the son of Dana’s husband Frank, said, “I love you forever Mrs. Dana. I’m so sorry.”

In a subsequent post, he promised to make sure his dad and the rest of his family are OK following the tragedy.

“Just because y’all are no longer here with us doesn’t mean y’all won’t live through us,” he wrote.

“Y’all both made such a great impact on everyone y’all came in contact with and there’s nothing in the world that could make up for what has happened.”

Heather Iosa, who described Winger as a second mom to her kids, said, “I can’t get over this. It hurts more then [sic] I can imagine.”

In a second post, she said, “Dana has been there with me through thick and then. I’m so glad we had dinner just two weeks ago and I got to see you.

“She has the biggest heart ever and I’m going to miss her so very much.”

First responders rushed to the restaurant after being called at around 7:40 p.m. Saturday night.

But when they arrived, Winger was unresponsive with head and neck injuries.

“EMS followed protocol but could not revive her,” Blackwell said. 

She was pronounced dead around an hour later.

Meanwhile, the restaurant said its hearts were with Winger’s family.

“This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved,” the restaurant said in a statement.