The Community Times Dispatch

Walterboro City Mayor Charlie Sweat was flown to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina for injuries he sustained as a pedestrian hit by a golf cart.

As of 9:00 p.m. Monday evening, he is currently listed as being in critical condition, according to Heather Woolwine, media relations officer with the Medical University of South Carolina.

According to Walterboro Police Chief Otis Rhodes, Sweat was providing a tour of Walterboro?s Great Swamp Sanctuary to individuals from the Donnelly Foundation. Sweat exited a golf cart to remove a metal pole, which provides access for a cart of that sort to enter or exit the Sanctuary.

After Sweat exited the golf cart, a ride-along passenger recognized that the vehicle was advancing and quickly made preparations to stop the cart. She reached across to depress the brake and inadvertently, pressed the accelerator.

Colleton County Fire/Rescue, City of Walterboro Fire Department, and members of the Police Department provided support to prepare Sweat for transport to the trauma center. ?It?s certainly a freak accident,? said Lieutenant Ken Dasen. There is no malicious intent here.?

Colleton County Paramedics transported Sweat to Colleton Medical Center by ambulance and LifeNet transported him by helicopter to MUSC.

Maggie Diebolt, public relations officer with MUSC released the following statement from Mayor Sweat?s family.

The family of Walterboro mayor, Charlie Sweat, appreciates the thoughts and prayers of those who know him in the Walterboro community and beyond. We are asking everyone to respect Charlie?s privacy as well as ours during this time.? Mayor Sweat?s Family