Officers are investigating a ferry dock gangway collapse on historic Sapelo Island in Georgia Saturday that killed 7 folks throughout an annual occasion honoring descendants of slave households. Picture by Simaah from Pixabay

Oct. 20 (UPI) — Officers have been on location in Georgia Sunday investigating the collapse of a ferry dock gangway that left seven folks lifeless and 6 others critically injured Saturday.

Three remained in crucial situation Sunday morning.

Folks had gathered on Sapelo Island, about 70 miles south of Savannah, to mark the annual celebration of a group of slave descendants when the gangway collapsed.

The island is managed by the Georgia Division of Pure Assets and operates the ferry service. It stated in a social media submit that 20 folks went into the water when the gangway collapsed, all of whom have been accounted for.

About 40 folks have been reportedly on the gangway when the failure occurred simply earlier than 4 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s a structural failure,” Georgia Division of Pure Assets Commissioner Walter Rabon stated. “There ought to be very, little or no upkeep to an aluminum gangway like that, however we’ll see what the investigation unfolds.”

Rabon stated it appeared that the gangway collapsed within the center whereas folks have been boarding the ferry.

The individuals who died ranged in age from 78 to 93. 4 have been ladies and 4 have been males, McIntosh County coroner Melvin Amerson stated.

Sapelo is a small island with only some dozen residents. It’s house to the Gullah Geechee, descendants of slaves dropped at North America within the early nineteenth century.

The annual competition honors the Gullah Geechee language, delicacies and artwork.

Not one of the lifeless are believed to have been Sapelo residents.