A ferry dock that had passed inspection just months earlier and was designed to hold 320 people collapsed under the weight of just 40 visitors to Sapelo Island, killing seven people and triggering a lawsuit that alleges catastrophic negligence in its design and construction.
Key Takeaways
- Families of seven victims killed in the Sapelo Island ferry dock collapse have filed a lawsuit against engineering and construction companies responsible for the dock’s design and construction.
- The gangway collapsed during Cultural Day on October 19, 2024, despite being designed to support 320 people while only holding about 40 people at the time.
- Previous concerns had been raised about the dock’s safety, including reports of weld cracks noted in emails from May 2022 and a ferry worker expressing doubts about its sturdiness.
- The lawsuit alleges the 80-foot walkway lacked proper structural reinforcement and adequate welding, making this tragedy entirely preventable.
- Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and others are representing the families in what was described as a “multi-million dollar” lawsuit seeking damages for negligence and wrongful deaths.
A Day of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
What was meant to be a joyous cultural celebration on Georgia’s Sapelo Island turned into a nightmare when an 80-foot ferry dock gangway suddenly collapsed on October 19, 2024. The incident occurred during the annual Fall Cultural Day celebration as approximately 40 attendees were boarding a ferry to return to the mainland. The collapse sent at least 20 people plunging into the water below, killing seven and injuring more than a dozen others. Most shocking is that the dock was designed to support 320 people – eight times the number who were on it when it failed catastrophically.
“It was supposed to be a celebration of Black pride, but it became a day of great, great, great Black loss of humanity and life,” civil rights attorney Ben Crump, one of several lawyers behind the lawsuit, told an Atlanta news conference. “We’re filing this lawsuit to speak to that tragedy.”
Warning Signs Ignored
The lawsuit reveals a disturbing pattern of ignored warning signs and neglected safety concerns. Emails from May 2022 documented concerns about weld cracks on the gangway. Additionally, a ferry worker had previously expressed doubts about the structure’s sturdiness. Despite these red flags, the last inspection of the gangway was conducted in December 2023, with officials claiming no issues were found. This negligence is particularly troubling given that the dock was only rebuilt in 2021 following a separate lawsuit by Hogg Hummock residents over accessibility standards.
“I couldn’t sleep last night, My wife said I was sleeping, I was hollering in my sleep, saying, ‘I’m going to save you. I’m going to save you. I’m going to get you’,” reported Yahoo News.
The collapse affected not only those who lost loved ones but also survivors who continue to struggle with the trauma. The lack of medical facilities on Sapelo Island compounded the tragedy, as plans for a clinic had been scrapped in favor of a restaurant. This lack of emergency resources meant that victims had no immediate access to medical care following the collapse, potentially worsening the outcome for those injured.
Legal Action Seeks Accountability
The lawsuit, filed in Gwinnett County, targets four private contractors involved in the project but notably does not name the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which is conducting its own investigation along with an independent engineering firm. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and attorney Chadrick A. Mance are representing the families in what has been described as a “multi-million dollar” lawsuit seeking damages for negligence, wrongful deaths, and personal injuries.
“The tragic deaths and injuries caused by the collapse of the Sapelo Island dock gangway are devastating for these families and the entire community. We will not rest until we uncover the truth behind this catastrophic failure and hold those responsible accountable. This should never have happened, and it is crucial that we prevent future tragedies by addressing the negligence that led to this horrific event,” reported Yahoo News.
Centennial Contractor Enterprises, one of the defendants, has acknowledged awareness of the lawsuit but declined to comment on pending legal proceedings. The legal action claims the walkway was poorly designed and constructed, lacking structural reinforcement and proper welding – fundamental safety features that should have been mandatory for such a critical piece of public infrastructure. This case highlights the life-threatening consequences of cutting corners on essential safety standards and putting profit over public safety.
Families Seek Justice and Prevention
For the families of victims, the lawsuit represents not only a quest for justice but also a mission to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The emotional toll on survivors and family members remains devastating months after the incident. Regina Brinson, who lost a loved one in the collapse, expressed during the Atlanta news conference that “The pain doesn’t get any easier whatsoever.” The trauma continues to affect survivors like Kimberly Wood, who stated, “I’m shaking now just talking about it.”
“It could have been anybody’s family out there that day. That celebration was the largest celebration in modern times for Sapelo Island. It had continued to grow, and folks locally and statewide knew that it was one of the largest celebrations dedicated to this island. And still, this happened,” in a report by News4Jax.
The Sapelo Island dock collapse represents a shocking example of infrastructure failure in America. That a recently built structure could fail so catastrophically during normal use highlights serious questions about oversight, quality control, and accountability in public infrastructure projects. This lawsuit may finally bring some measure of justice for the victims while forcing necessary changes in how such critical structures are designed, built, and maintained across the country.
