Local News
Video captures moments before the Sapelo Island ferry dock gangway collapsed
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.
Local News
Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash Claims Life of 25-Year-Old Trussville Resident
The crash occurred at approximately 6:13 a.m. in the 2500 block of Floyd Bradford Road.
Authorities are investigating a tragic single-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old man in Trussville early Tuesday morning.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Noah Lauren White, a resident of Trussville.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:13 a.m. in the 2500 block of Floyd Bradford Road.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, but despite their efforts, White was pronounced deceased at 6:30 a.m.
Preliminary reports indicate that White was the sole occupant of the vehicle at the time of the accident. The specific circumstances leading to the crash, including potential contributing factors such as road conditions, vehicle issues, or driver-related factors, remain under investigation.
The Trussville Police Department, in conjunction with other local authorities, is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
This tragic loss has deeply affected the Trussville community. Friends and family are remembering White for his life and the impact he had on those around him.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has additional information to contact local law enforcement to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available.