Sapelo Island Gangway Collapse Kills Seven Elders

A catastrophic gangway collapse on Sapelo Island, Georgia, during the annual Cultural Day festival led to the deaths of seven elderly people, aged 73 to 93, and left several others injured. The victims, including Jacqueline Crews Carter, Cynthia Gibbs, and Charles Houston, were identified by the McIntosh County coroner. Over 700 festival-goers were present, far exceeding the usual traffic, which may have contributed to the collapse due to extra stress on the gangway. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are conducting a thorough investigation into the structural failure of the newly constructed gangway. Witnesses described swift currents that swept victims away, and bystanders and rescue teams quickly responded to save lives. Sapelo Island, home to the last Geechee-Gullah community, mourns the loss of these individuals who were deeply connected to its cultural heritage.