A festive gathering turned deadly on a remote Georgia island, leaving a community in shock and authorities scrambling for answers.
AP News reported that seven people died, and three are in critical condition after a dock gangway collapsed during a Cultural Day event on Sapelo Island, Georgia, celebrating the Gullah-Geechee community.
The collapse took place as approximately 700 visitors were attending the annual festival on Saturday. The gangway, connecting an outer dock to the shore, gave way while an estimated 40 people were crossing it. At least 20 individuals fell into the water, triggering a massive rescue operation involving local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon stated that the aluminum gangway, installed just two years ago in 2021, should have required minimal maintenance. He confirmed that an investigation into the structural failure is underway.
The incident has raised questions about the safety of the island's infrastructure, particularly given its remote location. Sapelo Island, situated about 60 miles south of Savannah and 7 miles offshore, is only accessible by ferry.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as bystanders and emergency responders worked together to rescue victims from the water. Ed Grovner, a senior ferry mate, recounted the traumatic experience of attempting to save lives.
The collapse occurred during an event showcasing the unique culture of Hogg Hummock, a small community of Black residents descended from former slaves.
This tight-knit group, part of the larger Gullah-Geechee population along the southeastern coast, has preserved many African traditions due to their relative isolation. Jazz Watts, a Hogg Hummock resident, described the devastating scene:
When you see people being carried that are wrapped in blankets and they have died; it's traumatizing to everyone.
This incident has brought renewed attention to longstanding concerns about infrastructure and services on Sapelo Island. In 2015, residents filed a federal lawsuit against McIntosh County and the state of Georgia, citing a lack of basic services and emergency resources.
While a 2022 settlement resulted in agreements to improve facilities, including the construction of a helicopter pad, locals claim that some promised improvements have yet to materialize. The dock itself was rebuilt in 2021 as part of efforts to address accessibility issues raised in the lawsuit.
JR Grovner, a local resident, mentioned raising concerns about the gangway's stability to ferry officials approximately four months ago. However, Commissioner Rabon stated he was unaware of any such complaints.
A team of investigators, including engineering and accident reconstruction experts, has been dispatched to the site. With assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, they aim to determine the cause of the walkway's failure. Among the seven fatalities was Charles Houston Jr., identified as a chaplain for the Natural Resources agency. Officials confirmed that none of the deceased were Sapelo Island residents.
The dock collapse on Sapelo Island has resulted in seven deaths and multiple injuries. It occurred during a cultural festival celebrating the island's unique Gullah-Geechee heritage. Authorities have launched an investigation into the structural failure of the recently installed gangway.
