‘Heartbroken:’ Jacksonville mayor releases statement about deadly Georgia dock collapse

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is speaking out about the deadly Georgia dock collapse that killed seven people, including four people from Jacksonville.

Read: Four people from Jacksonville among those killed in Georgia dock collapse on Saturday

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According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Sapelo Island dock collapsed on Saturday afternoon because of a “catastrophic failure to the gangway.”

Seven people were killed, and at least six were critically injured.

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The McIntosh County Coroner’s Office confirmed with Action News Jax the names of those killed:

  • Jacqueline Crews Carter, 75, Jacksonville
  • Carlotta McIntosh, 93, Jacksonville
  • Isaiah Thomas, 79, Jacksonville
  • Cynthia Gibbs, 74, Jacksonville
  • Charles L. Houston, 77, Darien, Georgia
  • William Johnson, Jr., 73, Lithia Springs, Georgia
  • Queen Welch, 76, Atlanta, Georgia

Mayor Donna Deegan released the following statement on Monday:

“I am heartbroken by the tragic events this week on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The majority of those who lost their lives were from Jacksonville, home to the nation’s largest population of Gullah-Geechee descendants. As we observe Gullah-Geechee Heritage Month, we mourn the lives lost and extend our prayers to the Gullah community, which has been profoundly impacted by this tragedy.”

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