The gangway at the
Fernandina Harbor Marina after it collapsed. | City of Fernandina Beach
Published on July 7, 2025 at 5:14 pm
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Fernandina Beach officials have hired an engineering company to find out what led to a gangway collapse in to the Amelia River during the July 4th fireworks show, leaving 11 people with minor injuries.
Numerous people were standing on the gangway at the Fernandina Harbor Marina when it collapsed during the Friday evening show.
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No one fell into the water after the gangway bent in the middle, dipping into the river. Fernandina Beach Police Department and Fire Department were on scene immediately, city officials say.
“Our number one job is keeping residents safe,” City Manager Sarah Campbell said in a statement. “We are grateful there were no serious injuries and that our first responders acted swiftly to secure the area.”
Event organizers at Light Up Amelia Inc. have hosted the Fourth of July celebration since 2012 without incident, but this year’s event had larger crowds since it fell on a Friday night, city officials say.
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Marine contractors are working on a proposal to remove the damaged gangway from the marina as the city works on immediate measures to make sure incidents like this during special events do not happen again.
