### Tragedy Strikes Sapelo Island: Dock Collapse Kills Seven During Gullah Geechee Cultural Event

In a devastating turn of events, seven individuals lost their lives when a dock collapsed on Sapelo Island, Southeast Georgia, during a gathering celebrating Gullah Geechee culture. This tragedy occurred on Saturday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., when approximately 20 people plunged into the water following the structural failure of the dock's gangway.

Sapelo Island resident JR Grovner had previously expressed concerns about the condition of the aluminum gangway, warning a Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) captain several months prior. Grovner reported that the gangway was in poor condition and feared it would collapse. Despite his concerns, the captain dismissed the warnings, suggesting that the dock was secure.

Following the collapse, Grovner discussed the incident with the same DNR captain, who acknowledged Grovner's prior warning, admitting, "JR, you told me. You were right."

The DNR, which oversees the dock and the ferries connected to Sapelo Island, has not commented on Grovner’s warnings. DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon described the collapse as a "structural failure" and noted that the investigation has been taken over by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Rabon initially claimed the dock, installed in November 2023, underwent "almost daily inspections"; however, it was later clarified that the last inspection took place in December 2023.

The dock was inspected by Crescent Equipment Company, a McIntosh County-based contractor specializing in aluminum floating docks, gangways, and piers. When asked about the gangway's weight limit, Rabon was uncertain but believed it should have supported the load present during the incident.

In the wake of the catastrophe, McIntosh County Coroner Melvin Amerson confirmed the identities of the seven victims. The incident has deeply affected the small community of approximately 30 full-time residents, many of whom are descendants of the Gullah Geechee people, a group that has preserved many of their West African customs due to the island's historical isolation.

Reginald Hall, a Sapelo Island resident and descendant, expressed the community's grief, emphasizing their heartbreak over the tragic events that occurred during their annual Cultural Day celebration. Hall also highlighted concerns over systemic underinvestment in Sapelo Island's infrastructure by the state and McIntosh County, suggesting that better equipment might have reduced the loss of life.

This heartbreaking incident has reignited discussions about the long-standing neglect of basic services and infrastructure on Sapelo Island. In recent years, residents have taken legal action against McIntosh County and Georgia. The state settled in 2020 and the county in 2022, resulting in financial damages and promises to improve municipal services.