Coast Guard: All trapped crew members have been rescued from overturned cargo ship

The four crew members trapped inside a cargo ship that capsized off the Georgia coast early Sunday were rescued on Monday afternoon, the Coast Guard announced.

The four men are alert and in good condition, and have been hospitalized for evaluation, The Associated Press reports. The 656-foot cargo ship, the Golden Ray, capsized just 23 minutes after leaving the Brunswick port. The vessel was headed to Baltimore, and carrying about 4,000 vehicles. Immediately after the ship overturned, 20 crew members were airlifted to safety, but fire and smoke kept the rescuers from being able to move deeper into the ship.

The rescuers on Monday had to drill into the hull's steel plates in order to get the remaining crew members out. Lt. Lloyd Heflin coordinated the rescue, and told AP this was the "best day of my 16-year career." The cause of the capsizing is still under investigation, and port officials are working to reopen the channel. The ship is owned by Hyundai Glovis.

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