At least 7 dead, several injured after footbridge collapses on Georgia’s Sapelo Island

At least seven people died and several others were seriously injured after a gangway collapsed at a landing pier on Sapelo Island off the coast of Georgia, according to state authorities.

At least 20 people fell into the water when the footbridge collapsed Saturday afternoon, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said in a statement.

In addition to the seven people who died, six people were seriously injured and two others were transported by helicopter to other hospitals for treatment, Capt. Chris Hodge of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said during a press conference Saturday evening.

Authorities received the first 911 call about the catwalk collapse at the visitor landing dock around 3:50 p.m., Hodge said. The incident triggered a large emergency response, involving local authorities, the Georgia State Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard. Rescue teams used boats equipped with sonar and helicopters to try to find and rescue people who had fallen into the water.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, Hodge said. An engineering and construction team visited the site to examine the collapse site.

The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden on Saturday evening.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the collapse of the ferry dock walkway on Sapelo Island in Georgia,” Biden said in the statement. “What should have been a joyful celebration of Gullah-Geechee culture and history turned into tragedy and devastation. Jill and I mourn those who lost their lives and pray for the injured and all those who are still missing. We are also grateful to the first responders on scene. My team is in contact with state and local officials, and we are ready to provide any assistance that would be helpful to the community.

In a statement posted to X, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said he was heartbroken by the tragedy and asked for prayers.

Sapelo Island is located approximately 70 miles south of Savannah, Georgia.

The wharf collapse came on the same day residents and visitors were celebrating a community cultural day on the island.

The Georgia Department of National Resources manages Sapelo Island, home to a research reserve and the Hog Hammock community, a small enclave of a few dozen full-time residents, descendants of African-American slaves.

The Gullah-Geechee people are the descendants of African slaves who were brought to the southeastern United States, primarily in coastal areas, and who, due to their relative isolation, have preserved many of their indigenous African traditions .

At least 7 dead, several injured after footbridge collapses on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, originally appeared on abcnews.go.com