UPDATE: Friends speak lovingly of Chesterfield mother fatally struck by beach umbrella
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Lottie Belk, the 55-year-old Chesterfield woman killed Wednesday by a flying beach umbrella, was celebrating her birthday and anniversary at Virginia Beach.
Belk's oldest daughter Ashley Denton said her mother was a "loving lady" who worked in the mental health profession for many years.
She said her mother recently earned her Master's Degree in business from Strayer University.
Belk leaves behind two daughters, a stepson, a stepdaughter, and a husband.
The Incident
The umbrella struck Belk Wednesday at about 5 p.m. when high winds sent the anchored umbrella flying across the sand.
"It was pretty windy down here," witness Hugh Martin said. "Saw the umbrella go up in the air, and literally hit the woman, knocking her to the side."
Hugh Martin
As lifeguards and other witnesses rushed to Belk's aide, police were called to the beach around 33rd Street to respond to what was described as a cardiac arrest.
"It was probably the most scariest things I've ever seen," Martin said.
Belk was rushed to a Virginia Beach hospital where she later died.
"There is no evidence of foul play," a Virginia Beach spokesperson said.
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