A woman was killed at Virginia Beach on Wednesday when a wind-blown beach umbrella stabbed her in the chest.
The 56-year-old woman was on the beach when the anchored umbrella blew across the sand and struck her in the chest, officials told WTKR. There is no evidence of foul play.
The woman, identified by WTVR as Lottie Belk, said the mother and Army veteran was at the beach to celebrate her upcoming birthday and her recent wedding anniversary.
Police said they received a call for a cardiac arrest on the beach at 33rd Street just after 5 p.m.
When crews arrived, the woman was found suffering from a life threatening injury. She was transported to a local hospital where she later died.
The woman, identified by WTVR, said Lottie Belk was at the beach to celebrate her upcoming birthday and her recent wedding anniversary.
“It was pretty windy down here. It kind of looked like something from the Wizard of Oz. Literally. Saw the umbrella go up in the air, and literally hit the woman, knocking her to the side. Immediately, the lifeguards, and people start rushing around. It was probably the most scariest things I’ve ever seen,” said Hugh Martin, who works on the boardwalk.
Martin says the woman was talking to children when she was struck.
The Virginia Beach Police Department Homicide Unit is currently investigating the incident.