JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The families of three Jacksonville victims who died during a gangway collapse in Sapelo Island, Georgia are now calling for a federal investigation into the accident.
The family members of the victims spoke during a press conference Tuesday, along with those who witnessed the tragedy unfold. Emotions were high and tears were shed inside a church in Jacksonville as daughters, nieces and friends shared the memory of those lost.
“We want an investigation on every level to get the answers to how this happened," said Ben Crump, the attorney representing the families of three victims. “We are united in trying to make sure that the world never forgets the Sapelo 7."
Seven people died when a gangway collapsed in Sapelo Island Georgia. The families of Isaiah Thomas, Carlotta McIntosh and Jacqueline Carter believe the accident was preventable.
“There was nothing wrong with my mother, she was perfectly healthy, she was perfectly fine, and she should have come home to us," said Vanessa Williams, the daughter of Jacqueline Carter.
Regina Brinson was there during the collapse. She and her uncle, victim Isaiah Thomas, were pushing another victim Carlotta McIntosh in her wheelchair across the gangway when it collapsed.
“And I said Uncle Bubba, grab my hand, and he grabbed my hand but he grabbed my shirt too. And he kept pulling me and pulling me under the water, and I kept saying to myself 'God I’m going to die, I’m going to die,'" Brinson said.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating to determine the cause of what they say was a "structural failure of the gangway."
But, Crump is calling for a federal investigation
"We don't trust the state of Georgia to be able to investigate itself in this matter and that's why we're calling on independent investigations to take place," Crump said. “We're going to be calling on an investigation on every levels because they deserve it. Their lives matter. They were loved, they were cherished and they should be here."
As well as calling for that federal investigation, Crump is also calling for mental health resources to be made available to the witnesses and families of the victims.