Walter Rabon, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which operates the ferries and dock, said about 20 people fell into the water. Up to 40 could have been on the gangway at the time of the failure,

Those who witnessed a deadly gangway collapse in Georgia over the weekend are detailing what happened when dozens plunged into the water, killing seven.

Life jackets bobbed in the water, people formed a human chain to pass survivors to safety and bodies were carried ashore in blankets.