SAVANNAH, Ga. — A day of celebration ended in tragedy after officials say a “catastrophic failure” led to a dock gangway collapsing on a small Georgia island.
The collapse happened after the Cultural Fest celebration on Sapelo Island in honor of Gullah Geechee culture. Officials said up to 40 people were on the dock gangway to board a ferry back to the mainland when it gave out.
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The collapse sent at least 20 people plunging into the water, killing seven and critically injuring others. Georgia officials said three victims remained hospitalized as of Sunday morning.
ABC News confirmed the names of the seven victims who died with the coroner’s office:
- Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75, Jacksonville
- Cynthia Gibbs, 74, Jacksonville
- Charles L. Houston, 77, Darien, Georgia
- William Johnson, Jr., 73, Lithia Springs
- Carlotta McIntosh, 93, Jacksonville
- Isaiah Thomas, 79, Jacksonville
- Queen Welch, 76, Atlanta
Here’s what we know so far about the victims.
Carlotta McIntosh, 92
Carlotta McIntosh was a retired school teacher who lived in Jacksonville. Her granddaughter spoke to Channel 2′s Veronica Griffin about the full life her grandmother lived.
“I wanted people to know she’s vibrant, 92-year-old woman. She was independent. She lived by herself. She got tens of thousands of people registered to vote. She was very active in her community,” Atiyya Hassan said
William Johnson, Jr., 73, Lithia Springs
Queen Welch, 76, Atlanta
Zelda Johnson lost her husband William and her cousin Queen Welch in the dock collapse.
She told ABC News that she fell into the water as well but was saved “by the grace of God.”
She sent ABC News the following statements about the loss of her loved ones.
“Queen Welch my first cousin. Very warm and giving. Love to travel. This was a trip she planned for us to do. She really enjoyed the day.”
“William Johnson II my amazing Husband of 35 years and father of two. We loved doing little weekend getaways. He served 28 years in the US Air-force. He loved serving other. He served at his church as a Deacon and he was presently studying to be a Minister. He was loved by many!”
Charles L. Houston, 77
This photo shows Charles L. Houston, who was identified as one of the seven people fatally injured after a dock collapsed in Georgia.
Houston served as a chaplain for the Georgia Department of Public Safety and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
“Dr. Houston served our agency faithfully since 1997, offering unwavering support during critical times and providing guidance to our Trooper and MCCD Schools’ cadets. A retired Methodist minister, he devoted his life to serving others across Georgia, particularly within the law enforcement community, and showing compassion to everyone he encountered,” DPS posted in a statement.
The department said he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children.
Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75
“She was an amazing woman, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She retired from UF Health after 40 years and had been on the go ever since. She was an extremely supportive and loving Mom, whatever we could imagine she would do her best to make it happen. From marching as a band parent at Paxon to cruises to the Caribbean for summer breaks. She was big on helping others and being of service. Anytime someone called she would jump into action to help out. Friends, neighbors, or strangers, it never mattered. She is loved by everyone who meets her and she was our rock. We will feel this TREMENDOUS loss for the rest of our lives. Most of all she loved and lived for her family.”
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