Coroner identifies victims of Gangway collapse
by: Hollie Lewis, Danielle Cobb
MCINTOSH COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – On Saturday, October 19, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Georgia DNR), and multiple local, state, and federal agencies, responded to a gangway collapse at the Marsh Landing Dock on Sapelo Island.
The Georgia DNR says at least 20 people went into the water when the gangway collapsed. At this time, there are believed to be seven fatalities and multiple injuries including 3 individuals hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities say none are missing, that they know of.
McIntosh County Coroner Melvin Anderson tells News 3 the deceased have been identified as Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75, Jacksonville; Cynthia Gibbs, 74, Jacksonville; Charles L. Houston, 77, Darien, Georgia; William Johnson Jr., 73, Atlanta; Carlotta McIntosh, 93, Jacksonville; Isaiah Thomas, 79, Jacksonville; and Queen Welch, 76, Atlanta.
“It is a structural failure. There should be very, very little maintenance to an aluminum gangway like that, but we’ll see what the investigation unfolds,” Georgia DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon said at a news conference Sunday.
The gangway was installed in 2021 and according to the Georgia DNR, the last time it was inspected was less than a year ago, in December 2023 by Crescent Equipment Company.
Rabon said “upwards of 40 people” were on the gangway when it collapsed, and at least 20 fell into the water. Rabon said none of the people killed were residents of the island.
Multiple emergency agencies deployed boats, equipped with side-scan sonar, and helicopters for search and rescue missions. The gangway has been secured on Sapelo Island and the incident is currently under investigation.
Georgia DNR says they will continue to work in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, including Georgia State Patrol, McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, McIntosh County Fire Department, and U.S. Coast Guard, among others.
President Joe Biden released a statement on the incident on Saturday, saying, “We are heartbroken to learn about the ferry dock walkway collapse on Georgia’s Sapelo Island. What should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history instead turned into tragedy and devastation. Jill and I mourn those who lost their lives, and we pray for the injured and anyone still missing. We are also grateful to the first responders at the scene. My team is in touch with state and local officials, and we stand ready to provide any and all assistance that would be helpful to the community.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp released a statement on X Saturday evening saying, ” Marty, the girls, and I are heartbroken by today’s tragedy on Sapelo Island. As state and local first responders continue to work this active scene, we ask that all Georgians join us in praying for those lost, for those still in harm’s way, and for their families.”
U.S. Representative Buddy Carter also issued a statement saying, “My thoughts and prayers are with Sapelo Island today, following the unimaginable tragedy at the ferry dock. Governor Kemp has deployed state resources to aid in search, rescue, and recovery. Thank you to the first responders and everyone who stepped up in the wake of this heartbreaking loss. Let us come together as a community to support one another during this difficult time.”
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