SAVANNAH, Ga. — On Friday morning, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced an independent company was hired to perform an investigation of what led to the collapse of the Sapelo Island gangway.
Engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates was hired by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office to investigate the collapse, which led to the deaths of seven people.
“Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates is a firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists specializing in the investigation, testing, and design of repairs for buildings, bridges, and other structures,” according to the DNR announcement.
On the WJE website, they describe their history as including their participation in “the engineering or architectural investigation of many of the United States’ most significant major failures and natural disasters and has assisted in many investigations globally.”
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
In the wake of the collapse, state officials have had signage put in place to limit how many people are on the gangway at a time.
“The signage limits the number of individuals on the gangway at any given time to eight adults, or four individuals if dock carts or other equipment are being transported on the gangway,” the DNR said.
It was put in place on Wednesday.
RELATED STORIES:
- Sapelo Island dock collapse: New signs go up limiting amount of people allowed on gangway
- Sapelo Island dock collapse: Student reunites with 80-year-old woman she held onto in the water
- Georgia’s Gullah-Geechee community seeks path forward after deadly dock collapse
- Georgia dock gangway collapse: What we know about the victims
- Georgia islanders rushed to rescue survivors after dock walkway collapse that killed 7
The victims who were confirmed to have died, according to DNR, are:
- Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75, of Jacksonville, Fla.
- Cynthia Gibbs, 74, of Jacksonville, Fla.
- Charles L. Houston, 77, of Darien, Ga.
- William Johnson Jr., 73, of Atlanta
- Carlotta McIntosh, 93, of Jacksonville, Fla.
- Isaiah Thomas, 79, of Jacksonville, Fla.
- Queen Welch, 76, of Atlanta
DNR says they’re aware of two other victims who remain hospitalized and in critical condition, in addition to “numerous people” during the incident.
For questions about the incident at Sapelo Island, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has set up a “Frequently Asked Questions” page online.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2024 Cox Media Group