Local News
7 dead, 6 injured after Sapelo Island Ferry dock gangway collapsed
Multiple people were transported to area hospitals, and rescue crews continued to search the water for survivors.
Sapelo Island, GA – A devastating incident occurred on Saturday at a ferry dock on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least seven people.
The collapse of a gangway at the dock sent people plunging into the water, prompting a massive search and rescue operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the McIntosh County Fire Department, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and other agencies.
Multiple people were transported to area hospitals, and rescue crews continued to search the water for survivors.
Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, confirmed seven fatalities and stated that the search for additional victims was ongoing.
The cause of the gangway collapse remains under investigation, but officials believe at least 20 people were on the dock at the time of the incident.
The gangway connected an outer dock to the onshore dock, facilitating access to the ferry.
Among the victims of the tragedy was a chaplain for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Sapelo Island, located approximately 60 miles south of Savannah, is a small island community accessible only by boat.
The island’s annual Cultural Day celebration highlights the Gullah-Geechee community of Hogg Hummock, a settlement founded by former slaves from the cotton plantation of Thomas Spalding.
Gullah-Geechee communities, descended from enslaved island populations, are scattered along the coast from North Carolina to Florida. These communities have preserved much of their African heritage, including their unique dialect, fishing skills, and basket weaving traditions.
A tornado has been confirmed on the ground in Carmel, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indianapolis, causing immediate concern for residents in this densely populated area.
The tornado was spotted just south of Westfield, near Main Street and U.S. 31, moving through the region as emergency sirens blared.
The tornado’s presence in Carmel and surrounding areas has prompted urgent warnings from meteorologists and emergency officials.
Given its proximity to residential and commercial districts, residents are strongly urged to take immediate shelter.
The National Weather Service and local emergency agencies are closely monitoring the storm as it continues to track across central Indiana.
Emergency sirens have been activated throughout Carmel and nearby communities to alert residents of the impending danger.
Authorities are advising individuals to stay indoors, move to the lowest level of their homes, and avoid windows until the threat has passed.
Officials continue to assess the situation, and additional updates will be provided as meteorologists track the tornado’s movement and potential impacts on the area.
Residents should remain weather-aware and follow official warnings as the storm system progresses.