### Deadly Dock Collapse in Georgia Island Festival Claims Seven Lives

A tragic gangway collapse during a fall festival on Sapelo Island in Georgia has left seven people dead, marring an event meant to celebrate the Gullah-Geechee community’s rich history and culture. Among the victims was 79-year-old Isaiah Thomas, whose harrowing final moments have been recounted by his niece, Regina Brinson.

Regina Brinson was among those plunged into the water when the metal walkway gave way. Strong currents separated the victims from the shore, and Brinson desperately tried to rescue her uncle, only to watch him slip away. "I had to take his fingers, one-by-one, and peel them off of my shirt," she emotionally recounted. "I pulled him back up to the top. And I saw his face. And I was like, `Oh my God, what did I do? What did I do?' And he floated by me."

The collapse occurred Saturday as dozens of festival-goers waited on the dock for a return ferry to the mainland. Isaiah Thomas and six others, aged between 73 and 93, lost their lives in the disaster. Many were elderly members of a senior-citizens club from Jacksonville, who had journeyed to the island to immerse themselves in a unique cultural experience.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has called for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the incident, stating that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, responsible for operating the dock, cannot be relied upon to conduct an impartial investigation. The dock, made from aluminum, had been constructed in 2021, and its sudden failure has raised serious questions about accountability and safety.

Sapelo Island is known for its secluded beauty and its ties to one of the last remaining Gullah-Geechee communities, descendants of enslaved Africans who have preserved much of their cultural heritage due to their historical isolation. The tiny community of Hogg Hummock, established post-Civil War by freed slaves, is home to a dwindling number of residents. Many descendants have moved to the mainland for job opportunities, while others have sold ancestral lands in the face of rising property taxes and limited services.

Among those lost was Carlotta McIntosh, at 93 years old a vibrant and independent woman. Known for her zest for life, McIntosh often credited her longevity to daily recitations of the Serenity Prayer. Her granddaughter, Ebony Davis, remembered her as lively and spirited, a woman who truly lived life to its fullest.

Another victim, 75-year-old Jacquelyn Carter, was noted for her kindness and dedication to helping others. Her daughter Vanessa Williams reflected on her mother’s caring nature, frequently checking on less agile friends, ensuring they had food and medication, and even helping to clean their homes.

The weekend tragedy has cast a pall over an event designed to celebrate resilience and heritage, turning a joyful festival into a scene of grief and mourning. As investigations proceed, the community and the families of the victims are left grappling with their loss and demanding answers.