Two 14-year-old best friends died after a sand tunnel they were digging at Sportsman Park in Inverness, Florida, collapsed and trapped them underground on January 11.
George Watts and Derrick Hubbard were building a tunnel in the sand when the structure suddenly caved in, burying both boys alive in a 5-foot-deep hole. The incident occurred in Inverness, approximately 70 miles north of Tampa.
The boys’ parents became concerned around lunchtime Sunday when neither teen answered their cellphones. After pinging one child’s cellphone location, the parents discovered the boys’ bikes and shoes near the sandpit but could not locate the teens themselves. Destiny Rogers, Derrick’s mother, immediately called 911 and began digging frantically with her hands while waiting for emergency crews to arrive.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office received the emergency call at 12:44 PM local time. Deputies, firefighters and emergency medical services rushed to the scene and worked to rescue the trapped teenagers.
Around 1:15 PM, both boys were pulled from the sand. Hubbard was found unresponsive with no pulse, while Watts was found with a pulse but unconscious and not breathing on his own. CPR was performed on both teens before they were transported to HCA Florida Citrus Hospital.
Derrick Hubbard was pronounced dead Sunday at the hospital. George Watts was flown to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville in critical condition. He was pronounced dead around 4:25 AM Tuesday. The Watts family decided to donate George’s organs.
The two boys had been best friends since infancy and were described as inseparable. Their mothers, Destiny Rogers and Jasmine Watts, had been close friends, and the boys grew up together, forming a bond that extended far beyond typical childhood friendship.
Zachariah Roberson, the boys’ neighbor, remembered them fondly. “They were just being kids. They were playing in sand. We always encourage our kids to get off the tablets, electronics, to go play outside, and that’s exactly what they were doing,” Roberson said.
Both teens attended Inverness Middle School, where counseling services were made available to students following the tragedy. The school acknowledged that the situation had deeply affected many within the school and district community.
Corey Edwards, who coached both boys in the 352 Legends program, spoke about their character and leadership qualities. The two friends had recently won an NFL Flag Football championship together, demonstrating the teamwork and dedication that defined their friendship.
The Inverness community rallied to support both families in the aftermath of the tragedy. A GoFundMe was established to help cover funeral expenses for both boys. The Citrus County Education Foundation also began raising money to support the grieving families.
A Celebration of Life was held Wednesday to honor both teenagers and allow the community to come together in mourning.
Sand tunnel and hole collapses represent a recurring danger that often goes unrecognized by children and parents alike. The weight of sand is deceptive—dry sand weighs approximately 100 pounds per cubic foot, meaning even a relatively small collapse can create a crushing force equivalent to several thousand pounds. Unlike water or loose soil, sand does not compress when disturbed, making it extremely difficult for victims to create breathing space once buried.
Rescue efforts in sand collapse situations are particularly challenging because digging can cause further instability, potentially worsening the victim’s situation. First responders must work quickly but carefully to avoid triggering additional collapses while racing against time, as buried victims can suffocate within minutes depending on the depth and density of the sand covering them.
Safety experts consistently warn against digging deep holes or tunnels in sand, particularly at beaches and parks where the substrate may appear stable but lacks structural integrity. Even holes that seem secure can collapse without warning when pressure shifts or when the surrounding sand becomes saturated with moisture. The danger increases exponentially with depth—what begins as innocent play can quickly become life-threatening.
The tragedy in Inverness serves as a devastating reminder of how quickly childhood adventures can turn fatal. What began as two best friends enjoying outdoor play on a Sunday afternoon ended in heartbreak for two families and an entire community.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to both families. The agency asked the community to respect the families’ privacy while uniting to remember and celebrate both boys’ lives.
