05/29/2026
Georgia 811 Letterhead
Honoring the Legacy of May 29: Remembering the Hapeville Tragedy
Today, May 29, we pause to remember a solemn milestone, the anniversary of the Hapeville Day Nursery tragedy. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of damage prevention and the critical role it plays in protecting lives and communities.
On May 29, 1968, a natural gas explosion at the Hapeville Day Nursery in Hapeville, Georgia, claimed the lives of nine individuals, seven children and two adults, and left others seriously injured. The explosion occurred when a bulldozer struck an underground gas main during nearby construction, allowing gas to migrate into the building where it ignited.
We honor and remember those who lost their lives:
Doris Gardner, 57, nursery director
Mildred Reeves, 29, staff member
Gail Cumby, 3
Ronnie Wilson, 3
Julie Whidby, 2
Michael T. Kingston, 2
Roger Buckley, 2
Sandra D. Umphress, 2
Shelley Little, 16 months
This heartbreaking event remains one of the most significant tragedies in Georgia’s history related to underground utility damage. In the years since, it has helped drive increased awareness of underground utility safety and led to advancements such as excess flow valves, devices designed to automatically shut off gas flow when a line is damaged.
