JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Regina Brinson experienced a harrowing moment when a loud crack reverberated through the air just before the metal walkway collapsed beneath her. This incident occurred at the state-operated ferry dock on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, causing her to fall into the turbulent waters below. As the swift currents pulled her further away from safety, she managed to call out to her 79-year-old uncle, “Grab my hand!”
Isaiah Thomas made an effort to hold onto his niece’s outstretched hand, but in his struggle, he also grasped her shirt, inadvertently pushing her head beneath the surface of the water. Three days after the tragic event, Brinson found herself in tears as she recounted her desperate fight for survival and the agonizing moments that followed.
“I had to take his fingers, one-by-one, and peel them off of my shirt,” Brinson explained, still shaken by the memory. “I pulled him back up, saw his face, and thought, ‘Oh my God, what did I do? What did I do?’ Then he floated away from me.”
Thomas was among seven individuals who tragically lost their lives on Saturday when the gangway collapsed under the weight of a crowd waiting to board a ferry back to the mainland. This disaster coincided with a day when around 700 visitors gathered on Sapelo Island to partake in a fall festival celebrating the unique Gullah-Geechee culture, rich in history and heritage.
The relatives of the deceased have expressed their desire for a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gangway’s failure. Brinson stood alongside grieving family members of two other victims as civil rights attorney Ben Crump called for an inquiry from the U.S. Justice Department during a press conference in Jacksonville. The investigation into the dock’s collapse is currently being spearheaded by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which manages the site. The dock was constructed in 2021, yet Crump has voiced concerns regarding the objectivity of a state-led investigation.
The victims, ranging in age from 73 to 93, were described by Crump as vibrant individuals whose advanced ages should not diminish the tragedy of their loss. “They did not die of natural causes. They died of negligence,” he stated emphatically.
Sapelo Island is known for its largely preserved landscape and isolation from mainland infrastructure. It harbors one of the remaining Gullah communities, descendants of enslaved Africans who maintained significant elements of their ancestral heritage due to their seclusion. However, the community is dwindling, as many descendants have seeked opportunities on the mainland or sold their family land to outsiders. Ongoing issues such as insufficient services, including emergency response capabilities, and drawn-out litigation with local government have further complicated life for those who remain.
The Cultural Day festival on Saturday was a moment of joy, allowing island residents and visitors to celebrate together through food, crafts, and cultural demonstrations. Among those lost was Thomas, who had accompanied a group from his senior-citizens club in Jacksonville. Known affectionately as “Bubba,” he was a devoted member of his church and actively volunteered his time at a local soup kitchen. His sister, Katrena Alexander, reflected on his character, stating, “He would do anything you asked him to do. He would never say no.”
On that fateful day at the dock, Thomas and Brinson were assisting a friend in crossing the gangway when Brinson witnessed a tragic fall. Carlotta McIntosh, aged 93, lost her life in the incident, despite her active lifestyle, which included recent travel. Her granddaughter, Ebony Davis, reminisced fondly about her spirited nature, saying, “There was no old in her. She was vibrant. She was spunky. She was my world.”
Seventy-five-year-old Jacquelyn Carter was another member of the Jacksonville seniors’ club who perished. Described by her daughter as incredibly active and generous, Carter was actively planning future travel when her life was cut short. There were also tragic losses within the same family unit, including 73-year-old William Johnson Jr., an Air Force veteran, and his cousin, 76-year-old Queen Welch, who was known as the matriarch of her family.
The fatalities also included 77-year-old Charles L. Houston and 74-year-old Cynthia Gibbs of Jacksonville. Houston, who served as a chaplain for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Gibbs, a long-time active member of her local church, are remembered by their communities for their kindness and dedication.
Investigators from Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, are tasked with uncovering the reasons behind the gangway’s failure. The dock had undergone construction in 2021 following a lawsuit that revealed deficiencies in accessibility for individuals with disabilities, sparking significant concerns about safety.
After the lawsuit settlement, county officials were held accountable for addressing emergency response resources on the island. Despite commitments to construct a helicopter pad, residents have expressed frustration that this crucial project has not materialized. Consequently, during the emergency response to the recent incident, a helicopter had to land in an overgrown area, highlighting serious ongoing issues with medical accessibility on Sapelo Island, which currently lacks facilities for healthcare.