Georgia authorities are investigating a tragic incident involving the collapse of a dock gangway that has resulted in the deaths of seven individuals. The catastrophic failure occurred on Sapelo Island, leading to a thorough inquiry by the state officials. The dock gangway collapse took place during a fall celebration organised by the island’s Gullah-Geechee community, descendants of Black slaves.
Commissioner Walter Rabon of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources described the incident as a structural failure during a news conference, emphasising the minimal maintenance typically required for an aluminum gangway. The gangway in question was reportedly installed in 2021. Tragically, seven individuals lost their lives in the collapse, with three others remaining in critical condition as of Sunday.
According to Rabon, approximately 40 people were on the gangway when it gave way, resulting in at least 20 individuals falling into the water. Notably, none of the deceased were residents of Sapelo Island. The ferry dock where the tragic incident occurred had been reconstructed following a federal lawsuit settlement in October 2020. The lawsuit was filed by Hogg Hummock residents who raised concerns about the lack of compliance with federal accessibility standards for individuals with disabilities regarding the state-operated ferry boats and docks connecting Sapelo Island to the mainland.
As part of the settlement, the state committed to the demolition and replacement of outdated docks, as well as upgrading ferry boats to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Additionally, a cash settlement of $750,000 was paid by the state. The investigation into the dock gangway collapse on Sapelo Island continues as authorities work to determine the cause of this devastating event.