Jacksonville medical professionals rushed to help victims of Georgia Wharf footbridge collapse

The collapse of a pier walkway on Sapelo Island, Georgia, on Saturday killed seven people, but the toll could have been higher without the help of bystanders.

The barrier island is located about two and a half hours northeast of Jacksonville in McIntosh County. Four of the people who died are from Jacksonville. The others were from the Atlanta area and Darien, Georgia.

Many people were on the island Saturday for the Gullah-Geechee festival. Among them were two medical professionals from Jacksonville who told News4JAX they will never forget what they saw.

“It was horrible,” said nurse practitioner Tracey Ramey-Sheppard.

“It was not good at all,” said nurse Teresa Haywood.

But on the bus back to the ferry, the driver shared shocking news: the walkway leading to the ferry dock had collapsed.

“Teresa and I were like, ‘Wait, what did you just say? Are there people in the water? And we’re like no, we have to go, because we’re the first responders,” Ramey-Sheppard said.

They didn’t hesitate, ran and then circled a few hundred meters to the scene.

The first thing Ramey-Sheppard noticed was the ferry.

“There were people standing, but there was no way to get on that ferry,” she said. “The boards weren’t there. And then we looked at the beach and there were people in the water. There were bodies lying on the shore.

The mud sucking their feet, they rushed to help those they still could.

“I went further because there were people, I would say, probably like a football field down the bank of the pier, who were in the water. People were removing them. So I was sorting people out… “Are you okay?” Can you breathe?’ said Ramey-Sheppard.

They estimated that the walkway had collapsed just minutes before their arrival.

“I know when we were there it was maybe at least, you know, your adrenaline was pumping, but it seemed like at least 10 minutes passed before you saw a rescue boat” , Ramey-Sheppard said.

“I was working on a guy for 10 to 15 minutes…a young lady came by with an Ambu mask, a mask and she was the first person I saw medically. Other than that, I don’t remember seeing anyone on the shore,” Haywood said.

They estimate they were there for at least 40 minutes.

When asked what they would take away from the day, Haywood said, “Just compassion…everyone needs to participate.” I mean, and we saw it. We saw everyone coming together to try to help those who were in distress. And we just need more of that.

“And my takeaway: Tell your loved ones every day that you love them,” Ramey-Sheppard said. “Try to be there for them, because tomorrow is not promised and your life can disappear like that in an instant.”

The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources credited bystanders like them with saving lives.

He said they had 40 personnel on the island on Saturday, which was one of the busiest days of the year, and that the Coast Guard, sheriffs and local firefighters had also joined the efforts search and rescue with boats and helicopters on the island, which is not accessible by vehicle.

The cause of the collapse is currently under investigation.