Tragic Dock Collapse Claims Seven Lives on Sapelo Island
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Tragic Dock Collapse Claims Seven Lives on Sapelo Island
At least seven people died this week on Sapelo Island in Georgia when a ferry dock collapsed during a Gullah-Geechee celebration. Three others suffered catastrophic injuries and were hospitalized. Investigators are now looking to determine the cause of the tragic incident. At Harris Lowry Manton LLP, our team is ready to advocate for those affected by this event.
A cultural celebration turns tragic
The victims were attendees of the annual cultural day of the Gullah Geechee community. The Gullah Geechee are descendants of slaves brought to North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida from Central and West Africa. The community remained relatively isolated on coastal plantations, allowing them to maintain many African traditions and even create a new Creole language unique to the region. More than 700 people attended the event, causing an influx of visitors for an island that sees an average of 100 visitors a day. Extra ferries and runs were added to accommodate the event.
As the victims and others waited on the dock, it collapsed, sending 20 people or more into the water. Members of the Department of Natural Resources and Good Samaritans jumped into the water to rescue those who fell. Walter Rabon, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, credits those efforts with preventing even more deaths related to the collapse.
Reports released the identities of those killed, all of whom were from Georgia. The victims include Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; Cynthia Gibbs, 74; Carlotta McIntosh, 93; Isaiah Thomas, 79; William Johnson Jr., 73; Queen Welch, 76; and Charles Houston, 77, a chaplain for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Georgia State Patrol.
A “catastrophic failure”
Early reports indicate the collapse was a “catastrophic failure” of the aluminum ferryway’s structure. No boats struck the dock, which collapsed as people were boarding a ferry. One end of the dock fell into the water, while the other remained attached to the land. The gangway had two standing platforms that supported it, which were installed in November of 2021. Teams of engineers and construction experts are now analyzing the dock to identify what caused it to plunge into the water.
Inspection records indicate that Crescent Equipment Company carried out a routine inspection in December of 2023. Rabon admitted that the DNR does not inspect beneath the dock every day. The ongoing investigation will look into the maintenance records and determine whether the increase in ferry traffic on the day of the event contributed to the incident.
Accountability after structural fails
Structural collapses are some of the worst types of construction-related disasters. In many cases, something went wrong in a structure's design, construction, or maintenance that caused these types of tragic events. Some possible causes include:
- Weak foundations
- Defective design
- Damage and corrosion from water or mold
- Improper building materials
- Fire damage
- Excessive weight
The parties that could be at fault following a structural failure include:
- Property owners
- Architects
- Contractors or subcontractors
- Builders
- Engineers
- Inspectors
- Maintenance companies
- Building material manufacturers
The facts that come out following the inspection of the Sapelo Island dock collapse may shed some light on who might be responsible for this tragedy.
At Harris Lowry Manton LLP, our attorneys have a history of successfully representing victims of structural collapses. Our compassionate team is ready to fight for the victims who suffered injuries or lost loved ones in this tragic incident and others. If you or a family member suffered a loss resulting from the Sapelo Island dock collapse, fill out our contact form to connect with one of our lawyers for a free consultation.