An 8-year-old girl who was injured in the Murrells Inlet Christmas Parade Sunday is expected to be released from the hospital this evening.
The accident happened at about 3:50 p.m. Sunday.
There are differing accounts as to what exactly happened.
The girl was on a float sponsored by Murrells Inlet Veterinary Hospital.
South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Corporal Judd Jones said the girl fell off of the float but Jennifer Hoffman, manager of the veterinary hospital says it happened so fast even others on the float are unsure what caused the accident.
Hoffman said the girl — a Waccamaw Elementary School student and daughter of an an employee of the facility — was hopping off the float.
It is unknown if she fell under the float at that time or if she tripped and fell as she was walking next to the float.
Hoffman said there happened to be an orthopedic surgeon near the scene of the accident who helped care for the girl until EMS arrived. She said the girl was able to communicate with the doctor because she never lost consciousness.
She was transported to Waccamaw Community Hospital and was later flown to the Medical University of South Carolina for her non-life-threatening injuries.
She spent Sunday night in the pediatric trauma center being treated for pelvic injuries.
Hoffman said the girl will need to be in a wheelchair for a while but is expected to recover.
Lisa Howard was watching the parade with her two children, ages 5 and 11, and witnessed the accident.
She said when the girl fell she rolled under the tire well of the float.
She said the crowd panicked and were screaming.
"It was awful," she said. She said her youngest daughter has not said a lot about the incident but her 11-year-old was shaken up over the ordeal.
Jones said no charges are expected to be filed against the driver.
Sue Sledz of Murrells Inlet 20/20 said the organization's thoughts and prayers are with the girl and her family.
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