JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Monday marks two years since seven people were killed after a gangway collapsed on Sapelo Island during an annual Gullah Geechee celebration.
Hundreds traveled to the island for the celebration. Four of the seven victims were from Jacksonville.
A monument is now in process at Freedom Park to honor the victims, known as the Sapelo Seven.
Jacksonville City Councilman Rahman Johnson established the monument and said the group had traveled to learn more about history.
“Every one of those members of the Sapelo 7 all were just wanting to find out more about history,” Johnson said.
Johnson highlighted 74-year-old Cynthia Gibbs and 93-year-old Carlotta McIntosh, whom he knew personally. He said they are remembered for their work in the community.
“Miss Carlotta was an educator, right? Educated scores and scores of students. Cynthia worked for the Urban League and was very active in our church community,” Johnson said.
At least 20 others fell into the water when the gangway collapsed.
Johnson said Freedom Park was chosen because it is dedicated to the Gullah Geechee tradition.
“The consensus was the best place for it was the park that’s dedicated to the Gullah Geechee tradition, Freedom Park,” Johnson said.
A 100-page lawsuit filed in 2025 seeks to hold four construction companies that built and maintained the gangway accountable.
The lawsuit claims the gangway was poorly designed, poorly constructed, and destined to fail. It started as a request for $35 million in damages.
Savannah attorney Chad Mance, one of the attorneys involved, said the litigation has been hard-fought.
“We have been in this litigation for, I count, a year and four months. And so this litigation has been pretty hard-fought,” Mance said.
Mance said witnesses have been interviewed since the lawsuit was filed, and the case continues to move forward.
“Soon we hope we’ll be moving toward a trial in the case,” Mance said.
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