The “catastrophic failure” of an aluminum ferry gangway killed seven people Saturday who were attending an annual cultural event on historic Sapelo Island off the coast of Georgia, officials said Sunday.
Three other people were seriously injured and remained hospitalized Sunday afternoon, Commissioner Walter Rabon of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said at a news conference.
Among those killed was Charles Houston, 77, of Darien, Georgia, a chaplain with the DNR and Georgia State Patrol, Rabon said.
Rabon said the aluminum walkway, which was installed at the Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island in November 2021, gave way in the middle under the weight of people boarding the ferry to leave the island.
“One end of the walkway was in the water. One end of the walkway on the land side was still attached,” Rabon said, adding that the walkway was supported by two standing platforms and at the time of the incident, The ferry Annemarie was moored at a fixed quay next to one of the platforms.
In addition to Houston, those who perished were identified Sunday by McIntosh County Coroner Melvin Amerson as Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; Cynthia Gibbs, 74; Carlotta McIntosh, 93; and Isaiah Thomas, 79. They were all from Jacksonville, Georgia. According to Amerson, William Johnson, Jr., 73, and Queen Welch, 76, both of Atlanta, were also killed.
Rabon said an investigation was still underway to find out how many people were on the walkway when it collapsed. He said at least 20 people ended up in the water and another 20, including DNR staff and good Samaritans, jumped in to try to save people.
“Their rapid response and action saved additional lives yesterday afternoon,” Rabon said.
Rabon said that while the walkway was regularly inspected, “I can’t say we get up under it and inspect it daily.”
At least 20 people fell into the water when the footbridge collapsed Saturday afternoon, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.
WJCL
“The initial findings of our investigation at this stage show the catastrophic failure of the footbridge, causing it to collapse,” Rabon said.
In a statement Sunday, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the walkway was inspected less than a year ago, in December 2023, by Crescent Equipment Company.
On Saturday, the number of visitors to the island rose to more than 700, compared to a normal daily average of less than 100, Rabon said. He said the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of African slaves brought to the southeastern United States, were holding an annual cultural day on the island on Saturday when tragedy struck.
Rabon said a second ferry and additional trips were added Saturday to accommodate the large crowds.
Asked by reporters whether added stress from additional ferry connections could have been a factor in the collapse, Rabon replied: “At the moment I wouldn’t rule anything out as being a possibility.”
As part of the investigation, officials were reviewing maintenance records for the bridge, he said.
“What I can say is that this is a structural failure. There should be very, very little maintenance on an aluminum walkway like that, but we will see the outcome of investigation,” Rabon said.
At Sunday’s press conference, JR Grovner, a Sapelo Island resident and tour guide, spoke, saying that four months ago he had complained to one of the ferry captains of the gateway status.
“I reported to one of the ferry captains that the gangway was not stable. I raised concerns about the boat’s guardrail, that the guardrail was not locking properly into the slot,” Grovner said, adding that he also complained to the U.S. Coast Guard about ferry overcapacity.
Rabon said: “At this time I am not aware of any complaints. »
At least seven people died and several others were seriously injured after a gangway collapsed at a landing pier on Sapelo Island off the coast of Georgia, according to state authorities.
Acting Bailey
Authorities received the first 911 call about the collapsing walkway at the visitor landing dock around 3:50 p.m., officials said. The incident triggered a large emergency response involving local authorities, the Georgia State Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard and sheriff’s deputies from McIntosh County and neighboring Camden County, as well as the McIntosh County Fire Department.
Rescue teams used boats equipped with sonar and helicopters to try to find and rescue people who had fallen into the water.
Everyone who entered the water has been found, Rabon said Sunday.
An engineering and construction team was expected to assist in the investigation.
The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden on Saturday evening.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the collapse of the ferry dock walkway on Sapelo Island in Georgia,” Biden said in the statement. “What should have been a joyful celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history turned into tragedy and devastation. Jill and I mourn those who lost their lives and pray for the injured and all those who are still missing. We are also grateful to the first responders on scene. My team is in contact with state and local officials, and we are ready to provide any assistance that would be helpful to the community.
Vice President Kamala Harris is also “praying for all those who were killed or injured in the collapse of the ferry dock walkway on Sapelo Island in Georgia,” she said in a statement Saturday.
“Our administration is in close contact with state and local officials, and we have offered any federal support the community may need. As always, we are deeply grateful for the heroism of our first responders,” said Harris in the press release.
She added that in the face of this tragedy, they “will continue to celebrate and honor the history, culture and resilience of the Gullah Geechee.”
In a statement posted to X, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said he was heartbroken by the tragedy and asked for prayers.
Sapelo Island is located approximately 70 miles south of Savannah, Georgia.
The Georgia Department of National Resources manages Sapelo Island, home to a research reserve and the Hog Hammock community, a small enclave made up of a few dozen full-time residents, descendants of African-American slaves.
The Gullah Geechee people are the descendants of African slaves who were brought to the southeastern United States, primarily in coastal areas, and who, due to their relative isolation, have preserved many of their indigenous African traditions, according to the National Park Service.
Husband and wife Beverly and Irvin Jones told ABC News they were among those on the walkway when it collapsed. Irvin Jones said he felt the gangway slip and made a split decision to jump onto the floating dock.
“We almost got to the boat and I felt it start to slide, like I was going backwards,” Irvin Jones said. “So, I jumped and jumped. The two girls behind me fell. The whole railing fell and collapsed.”
Irvin Jones added: “It happened so fast that people couldn’t react. It was sad. It was so sad. It was horrible. Not 8 feet away from me I see a guy already drowned. A lady just jumped in to try to save a baby.
Beverly Jones said she saw people in the water trying to hold on to their children.
“It was just horrible,” Beverly Jones said. “They were trying to hold on. There was nothing to hold on to.”
ABC News’ Laryssa Demkiw, Michelle Stoddart and Faith Abubéy contributed to this report.
