Sapelo Island Ferry Terminal Collapse: Preliminary gangway inspection conducted

SAPELO ISLAND, Georgia. – Lawyers representing the seven people killed in the Oct. 19 Sapelo Island harbor collapse conducted a preliminary inspection Thursday. Ben Crump, joined by Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, conducted the inspection as part of an ongoing investigation into the causes of the tragic incident.

The collapse occurred at the state-operated ferry terminal as the Gullah-Geechee community celebrated its annual Cultural Day festival, an event meant to honor local heritage and provide respite from the community’s uncertain future. Hundreds of tourists were on the island when the walkway collapsed, turning what should have been a joyful event into a day marked by sadness and loss.

Attorney Ben Crump emphasized the urgency of the inspection and investigation. “Our priority is to uncover the truth about what caused this tragic collapse and ensure justice is served for the families who have suffered unimaginable loss.” Crump said. “Our legal teams are working with world-class structural engineers, geotechnical experts and metallurgists and are determined to uncover the factors that led to this devastating failure.”

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Crump added that the collaborative team aims to hold those responsible for the dock’s failure accountable and push for changes that will protect communities from similar tragedies in the future.

The inspection marks the first phase of a comprehensive investigation, in which Crump and his team of experts seek to identify any structural or procedural deficiencies that may have contributed to the disaster.