Seven dead after coastal Georgia gangway collapses

An aluminum dock gangway gave way on Saturday and sent about 20 people into the Duplin River, according to Georgia's Department of Natural Resources. Seven people died from the collapse and three more have been hospitalized, with more injured, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Walter Rabon said at a Sunday press conference. Sapelo Island’s Marsh Landing Dock saw an influx of visitors over the weekend for an annual festival celebrating local Gullah-Geechee heritage.

The group was waiting to board a ferry when the aluminum gangway gave way in the center, authorities said. Both local emergency responders and good Samaritans jumped into the water to help pull the fallen out. The ages of the deceased ranged from 73 to 93 years old, according to the New York Times. What should have been a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture turned into a tragedy, President Joe Biden said in a Saturday statement. He added that White House resources would be available to local and state officials assisting the community.

What caused the walkway to snap? Authorities are still investigating what caused the structural failure, Rabon said Sunday. He said the aluminum gangway was built in 2021 and received almost daily visual inspections and use. The walkway serviced less than 100 visitors on a given day and about 700 visitors came over the weekend, Williams said. Extra strain on the infrastructure could have contributed to the collapse, but it's too early to say with certainty, he added. Locals have great faith and believe that God makes no mistakes, Georgia state Rep. Al Williams said. Despite the pain, something good will come out of this tragedy, he added.