### Catastrophic Gangway Collapse on Sapelo Island Claims Seven Lives During Cultural Day

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Investigators and engineers are currently scrutinizing the reasons behind a devastating gangway collapse at a ferry dock on Sapelo Island, which tragically resulted in the deaths of seven elderly individuals during the island’s annual Cultural Day celebration.

The disaster struck late Saturday as the festivities were winding down, causing around 20 people to plummet into the water. Walter Rabon, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), noted that up to 40 individuals might have been on the gangway when it failed. Quick actions by bystanders were instrumental in saving additional lives, Rabon acknowledged. Emergency services, including Coast Guard helicopters and sonar-equipped boats, conducted exhaustive search-and-rescue missions following the incident.

The victims' identities were released on Monday, revealing that none were island residents. Among the deceased were four people from Jacksonville, Florida: Isaiah Thomas, 79; Carlotta Mcintosh, 93; Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; and Cynthia Alynn Gibbs, 74. Additionally, Queen Welch, 76, and William Lee Johnson Jr., 73, both from the Atlanta area, perished in the incident. Charles League Houston, 77, a chaplain with the GADNR, also lost his life.

The ill-fated event saw a significant surge in island visitors, with approximately 700 individuals traveling to and from Sapelo Island—far exceeding the usual ferry traffic. Rabon suggested that the unusually heavy usage might have placed additional stress on the gangway, contributing to its collapse. However, he maintained that the gangway should have been able to handle the load present at the time.

Sapelo Island, located about 60 miles south of Savannah, is accessible only by boat, with state-operated ferries making the 20-minute journey between Meridian and the island. The afflicted gangway and dock were constructed in 2021 and had undergone an inspection as recently as December. The GADNR’s Critical Incident Reconstruction Team, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, is actively investigating the cause of this "catastrophic failure."

Jamie Arkins from Savannah attended the Cultural Day event for the first time and recalled enjoying a beautiful day of festivities without the distraction of phones. She left the island about an hour before the tragedy unfolded and later learned of the incident, describing it as heartbreaking.

Rabon confirmed that no island residents were among the victims. Sapelo Island is home to approximately 70 full-time residents of the Hog Hammock community, the last intact, documented community of Saltwater Geechee, who are descendants of West Africans brought to America for their proficiency in rice and indigo farming. The Gullah Geechee communities, which stretch from North Carolina to Florida, face existential threats from land development pressures and rising sea levels.

As investigators continue their work, the tragic event underscores the vulnerability and resilience of this unique cultural enclave.