On October 19, 2024, what was meant to be a joyous celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture on Sapelo Island, Georgia ended in tragedy when a ferry dock gangway collapsed, resulting in seven fatalities and multiple injuries.
The incident occurred during the annual Cultural Day festival, a cherished event that draws visitors to the island to experience the rich heritage of one of the last remaining Gullah-Geechee communities.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which operates the dock, the collapse happened around 3:50 p.m. as visitors boarded a ferry to return to the mainland. DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon reported that about 20 people fell into the water following the collapse, with over 40 individuals standing on the gangway or dock at the time of the incident.
According to Rabon, the structure failed in the middle, leaving one end submerged in the water while the other remained attached to the land. However, the exact cause of the collapse is still unclear. Despite immediate rescue efforts by bystanders and emergency responders, including helicopters and boats equipped with sonar, seven people lost their lives.
Among the victims was Dr. Charles L. Houston Jr., a 77-year-old chaplain for the Georgia DNR and other public safety agencies. According to his website, Houston had worked with the DNR since 2008 and had served as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church for 40 years. His wife, Elizabeth Houston, described him as a kind and honorable man, adding that the situation has been so overwhelming that she struggles to speak or even process it.
Pastor Mike Davis, a fellow minister and colleague of Houston, praised him for consistently supporting others, especially during natural disasters. Davis, who worked closely with Houston in church and chaplaincy roles and described him as a committed pastor and chaplain who was well-loved by the church community and law enforcement, asked for prayers for Houston’s family and the agencies he served.
The other victims were identified as Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; Cynthia Gibbs, 74; William Johnson Jr., 73; Carlotta McIntosh, 93; Isaiah Thomas, 79; and Queen Welch, 76. As of Sunday, October 20, three people remained hospitalized in critical condition.
The aluminum gangway, installed in November 2021, had previously raised concerns regarding its sturdiness. Ferry worker Ed Grovner mentioned that he had expressed his reservations to a ferry captain months earlier about the gangway’s lack of sturdiness, but no action was taken. Grovner also shared that the incident affected his sleep, with his wife noting that he was shouting in his sleep, saying he was trying to rescue people. Commissioner Rabon, however, stated he was unaware of any previous complaints.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, along with a team of engineers and construction specialists, has launched an investigation into the cause of the gangway’s “catastrophic failure.” Crescent Equipment Company inspected the dock in December 2023.
The annual Cultural Day festival, launched in 2018, is the most significant event for the Gullah-Geechee community on Sapelo Island. The community consists of the descendants of enslaved West Africans with a culture that developed in the Sea Islands between 1750-1865. The festival aims to celebrate and educate others about their distinct cultural heritage, which includes music, dance, arts, crafts, and traditional foodways. The event features guided tours led by community members, arts and crafts demonstrations, traditional cuisine, and performances of native songs and dances.
It is organized by the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society and draws visitors from across Georgia and beyond. Held each October, the festival also raises funds to preserve the community’s traditions and support local initiatives amidst ongoing challenges like zoning changes, development pressures, and population decline.
The DNR resumed the Sapelo Island Ferry operations on Monday, October 21, 2024, as the community struggles with the aftermath of this devastating incident.