A day on the water in South Carolina turned into chaos when a massive brawl broke out on a river sandbar, leaving three people seriously injured and six others facing charges.
Wild video from the Congaree River in Calhoun County shows dozens of people gathered on a sandy stretch of riverbank as the scene quickly spirals out of control. What appeared to be a party atmosphere, with boats pulled up along the sandbar and crowds in swimwear, turned into a violent melee as people began shoving, swinging and wrestling one another to the ground.
Authorities say the fight happened on June 6 during the Sparkleberry Duck Run, an annual event where people gather with tents and duck boats along the river. The sandbar is a popular hangout spot during the event, but this year’s gathering ended with flashing police lights instead of a quiet ride home.
Calhoun County Sheriff Thomas Summers told WIS-TV that alcohol played a role in the violence.
“The water and drinking don’t mix,” Summers said, adding that some of the people involved were also believed to be drinking underage.
The footage shows mostly shirtless men exchanging punches as others scream, stumble around the sandbar or pull out phones to record. At one point, a man appears to be lifted up and slammed to the ground while the crowd continues to swarm around the fight.
Summers said three people suffered severe injuries, including swelling around the eyes and other head injuries.
“To see that many people swinging, fighting, it could have been really, really bad,” the sheriff said. “And I’m sure there are injuries that we haven’t heard about. That’s just the nature of that type of beast.”
On Thursday, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office announced that six people had been arrested in connection with the brawl.
The suspects were identified as Brendan Bonds, Hunter Dalzell, Lucas Scott, Edward Scott, Austin Mizzel and Taylor Knudson. Authorities said they are facing varying degrees of assault charges.
The sheriff’s office released images connected to the investigation as officials continue looking into what sparked the fight.
What was supposed to be a summer river gathering instead became a brutal reminder, according to local law enforcement, that alcohol and water can quickly become a dangerous combination.
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Acting like Hambones.