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Victims identified in Sapelo Island dock gangway collapse

Seven victims, including two from Atlanta, died in a gangway collapse during Sapelo Island’s Cultural Day celebration.

By Rosana Hughes

Oct 21, 2024

The seven victims who died in Saturday’s gangway collapse on Sapelo Island have been identified, including two people from Atlanta.

The deaths happened during the annual Sapelo Cultural Day celebration at the Marsh Landing Dock at about 4:30 p.m. About 40 people were on the gangway when it had a “catastrophic failure” and buckled in the center, according to officials.

Roughly 20 people fell into the water.

Seven people died. They include Atlantans William Johnson Jr., 73, and Queen Welch, 76. Charles L. Houston, 77, of Darien, was also among the dead, as well as Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75; Cynthia Gibbs, 74; Carlotta McIntosh, 93; and Isaiah Thomas, 79, all from Jacksonville.

The celebration was to honor the island’s Gullah Geechee community. The Gullah Geechee are descendants of Black slaves.

— This is a developing story. Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

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