SAVANNAH: Georgia authorities are investigating the collapse of a dock gangway on Sapelo Island that killed seven people during a fall celebration by the island’s Gullah-Geechee community. The tragedy occurred on Saturday as crowds gathered for Cultural Day, an event highlighting the history and culture of Hogg Hummock, a community of Black slave descendants.
Walter Rabon, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, described the incident as a “catastrophic failure.” The gangway, which connected a ferry dock to the mainland, collapsed while over 40 people were on it. At least 20 people fell into the water. Three victims remain hospitalized in critical condition, while eight others were taken to hospitals after the collapse.
Rabon stated that none of the seven people killed were residents of the island. “We don’t know why the gangway collapsed,” said Rabon during a news conference. “It was installed in 2021, and we will see what the investigation unfolds.”
Federal and Local Response
Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard, McIntosh County Fire Department, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducted search operations in the water. Tyler Jones, spokesperson for the DNR, confirmed that no collision or external factor caused the collapse. “The thing just collapsed. We don’t know why,” Jones said.
Helicopters and boats equipped with side-scanning sonar were used to aid in the search. A team of engineers and construction specialists arrived on Sunday to begin investigating the cause of the failure.
Among the victims was a chaplain from the state agency, according to Jones. President Joe Biden expressed his condolences and stated that federal officials were ready to provide assistance if needed.
Background of Sapelo Island and Hogg Hummock
Sapelo Island, located 60 miles south of Savannah, is only accessible by boat. The island is home to Hogg Hummock, a small Gullah-Geechee community founded by former slaves after the Civil War. Known for its rich African heritage, the community has preserved much of its history, including its dialect, crafts, and fishing traditions.
Hogg Hummock was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, but its population has been dwindling for decades. Rising property taxes and zoning changes have fueled fears that residents will be forced to sell their ancestral land to outsiders who are building vacation homes.
Roger Lotson, the only Black member of the McIntosh County Board of Commissioners, described the community’s deep bonds. “Everyone is family, and everyone knows each other,” Lotson said. “They are all one. They all feel the same pain and the same hurt.”
Legal Battles and Community Struggles
Residents of Hogg Hummock have been protesting zoning changes that doubled the size of homes allowed in the community. They fear larger homes will lead to further tax increases, which could force families to sell land that has been in their possession for generations.
The collapse of the ferry dock comes after Georgia officials had settled a federal lawsuit in 2020 over the state-operated ferry boats and docks. Residents of Hogg Hummock had complained that the facilities did not meet federal accessibility standards for people with disabilities. The state agreed to demolish and replace outdated docks and improve ferry services.
As investigations continue, the Gullah-Geechee community mourns the tragic loss of life during what was meant to be a celebration of their heritage.
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