Man fell off Daufuskie ferry walkway, unable to get out of water. Video shows aftermath
A man fell into the water while embarking the ferry from Daufuskie Island to Hilton Head Island around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Daufuskie Island resident Leigh Anne De Chaine, who saw the incident.
“As soon as he stepped onto that ramp, the ramp fell between the dock and the boat, and he fell between the dock and the boat,” she said.
This is the latest incident involving Lowcountry Ferry, which was contracted by Beaufort County to go between Daufuskie and Hilton Head Island in January. Since then, residents have had mounting complaints, including safety issues getting on and off the boat.
The man, who appeared to be a Pepsi worker with a backpack full of tools, floated between the boat and the dock as four men tried to pull him out of the water, De Chaine said. When they couldn’t lift him out of the water, a boater passing by dragged him to Freeport Marina, which is the next dock over, she said.
Daufuskie Island resident Beth McIntyre called Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services at the marina once the man was pulled out of the water. Beaufort County EMS spokesperson Virginia Marshall said the man was administered medical care and had minor injuries, but is doing fine.
“The boat that we’re on is not equipped to pull up level with the dock,” McIntyre said. “They have rigged up a metal ramp that has to be hand put in place when we are embarking or disembarking.”
The first mate and the captain got off of the ferry to help the man, leaving the ferry and about a dozen passengers unattended, De Chaine said.
After seven years of service, Beaufort County switched providers from Haig Point Community Associates to Lowcountry Ferry this year.
Beaufort County has been made aware of the incident and is investigating the situation, according to spokesperson Hannah Nichols.
Lowcountry Ferry declined to comment over the phone and directed a reporter with The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette to email. The business hasn’t responded to emails from the newspapers for several weeks.
This story was originally published March 14, 2024 at 4:28 PM.
