A South Carolina woman was killed when a restaurant umbrella came loose during a storm and struck her in the head and neck.
Dana Winger, 56, was identified as the victim of the freak accident by the Clarendon County Coroner.
She was dining with her husband at the Driftwood Grill on the shore of Lake Marion, about 70 miles northwest of Charleston, when the tragedy unfolded.
The umbrella was dislodged by strong winds during a heavy storm that was passing through the area over Memorial Day weekend, according to authorities.
She was struck by the flying object at about 7.40pm on May 23 as horrified diners looked on.
Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell told the Daily Mail that Winger was 'found unresponsive with a laceration to head and neck area.'
She was officially pronounced dead about an hour later after efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
An autopsy will be performed on Winger's body at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on Wednesday. The case is being investigated as an accident, according to the coroner.
Dana Winger, 56, was dining with her husband on the shore of Lake Marion in South Carolina when she was killed by an umbrella that was dislodged by a storm. The couple is pictured
Winger was beloved by friends and family members, who shared tributes to her online. She is pictured (left) with Heather Iosa (second left), who posted about her grief
'Our heartfelt condolences goes out to the family and friends,' Blackwell told the Daily Mail.
An outpouring of tributes to Winger have since emerged on social media penned by grieving friends and family.
'This is so very hard. Dana has been there with me through thick and then [sic]. Help raised my kids. When they were younger never missed a game nothing with them,' her friend Heather Iosa wrote on Facebook.
'As they've gotten older she's been there for the most important part of their lives. 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,' the friend concluded.
'Missing her so much. This lady (Dana Hinson Winger) is not a friend. She is family. Second Mom to my kids. I can't get over this. It hurts more then I can imagine,' she wrote in a second post.
Cameron Winger, who appears to be Dana Winger's stepson, wrote: 'Mrs. dana, I promise I will make sure dad and our lake family is okay. Just because y’all are no longer here with us doesn’t mean y’all won’t live through us.'
Driftwood Grill had opened on May 22, just a day before Winger died there, according to its Facebook page.
Winger is pictured with Cameron Winger, who appears to be her stepson. He said that she will continue to live through him and others who loved her
The restaurant shared a statement on Sunday that said: 'Our hearts are with the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic incident during last night’s sudden severe weather event at Lake Marion.
'This has deeply affected many people in our community, including guests, staff, first responders, and everyone involved.
'Out of respect for the family and those impacted, we ask for continued prayers, compassion, and privacy during this incredibly difficult time.
'We are grateful for the emergency personnel and community members who responded and assisted during the situation. Please continue to keep everyone affected in your thoughts and prayers.'