On Saturday, October 19, 2024, tragedy struck on Sapelo Island, Georgia, when the gangway of the visitor ferry dock collapsed, plunging at least 20 individuals, including seniors and families, directly onto the water of the Duplin River. This incident led to the heartbreaking loss of seven lives, aged between 73 and 93, as shouting and chaotic scenes ensued amid the joyous atmosphere of the Gullah-Geechee cultural celebration.
The gangway, which was intended to facilitate smooth access to the ferry for visitors, failed catastrophically, causing not only immediate panic but also raising urgent questions about safety standards and infrastructural integrity. Relatives of victims and survivors have since expressed their anguish and frustration during press conferences, demanding thorough investigations and accountability.
Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the families of three victims and held a press gathering alongside impacted individuals to highlight their grief and seek justice. "We want an investigation on every level to get the answers to how this happened," Crump asserted, characterizing the deaths as “unnecessarily, unjustifiably, and certainly preventable.” He claimed immediate negligence and called for federal scrutiny to illuminate the situation concerning the dock's oversight, operations, and maintenance.
Among those injured was Regina Brinson, whose narrative poignantly captures the horror of the collapse. Brinson recounts her attempts to help 93-year-old Carlotta McIntosh across the gangway just moments before it buckled. "I heard a crack, then I looked and all I remembered was releasing the walker. Miss Carlotta just fell straight down in the water," Brinson said, her voice shaking with emotion. Thankfully, Regina survived, but her uncle was not as lucky.
Video footage from the tragic moment shows desperation, with individuals clinging to the remnants of the gangway, life jackets being thrown from the shore as spectators and onlookers screamed. Some were later seen bobbing away from the scene, desperately searching for safety and support.
Following the collapse, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) mobilized to erect new safety signage at the ferry dock, mandatorily limiting access to eight individuals at once or four with carts. This update starkly contrasts the original capacity rating of the ill-fated gangway, engineered to support 320 people. DNR's inquiry, funded by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, will probe the events leading to the catastrophe, which follow recent repairs undertaken as part of the dock's refurbishment.
Long-term infrastructural questions have surfaced, especially considering the dock had been inspected just last December with no issues reported. The community has since called for enhanced independent scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Justice amid fears over how similar incidents might be prevented in the future.
At community support sessions organized by the DNR, psychological help and counseling have been made accessible to those affected. These sessions, scheduled to commence on October 26 at two different locations, offer guided discussions and services aimed at alleviating the mental toll inflicted by the horrifying event.
Janel Holland, a certified trauma professional at Coastal Community Health, urges those impacted to seek support, advocating for open conversations around the things they witnessed. Mental health challenges, such as survivor’s guilt, can linger long after physical injuries heal. Holland’s organization is offering trauma-informed counseling at the site of the incident to help attendees process their experiences during this traumatic juncture.
Victims’ families stand united, advocating for increased accountability and safety, determined to prevent such tragic outcomes from occurring again. The incident has sparked discussions about preventative measures, highlighting the importance of stringent safety practices for public infrastructures.
With rising community support and emotional recollections vividly reminding everyone of the lives lost, the call for justice is louder than ever. The residents and survivors are not only fighting for answers but also for change — advocating for improved standards to avoid future tragedies as heartbreaking as the one witnessed on Sapelo Island.
The Sapelo Seven, as the victims have come to be known, continues to be honored, as families push for justice with unwavering resolve. Now more than ever, the emphasis is on ensuring safety and accountability within the community's cherished spaces.
