Two 14-year-old best friends died after a sand tunnel they were digging at a Florida park suddenly collapsed on them, trapping both boys underground in a tragedy that has devastated the Citrus County community.
George Watts and Derrick Hubbard were playing at Sportsman Park in Inverness, Florida, on January 11, 2026, when the accident occurred. The park is located in Citrus County, 70 miles north of Tampa.
The boys had been digging a hole and tunnel in the sand that reached four to five feet deep when it collapsed. Emergency services received a call at 12:44 p.m. reporting that two children were lost in the park and that there was a large hole where the caller believed the children were trapped inside.
When the boys failed to answer their cellphones at lunchtime, their parents became concerned and went to search for them. The parents found the boys’ bikes and shoes by the sandpit but could not locate the children. One parent pinged their child’s cellphone to determine their location underground. Destiny Rogers, Derrick’s mother, made the 911 call and began digging with her hands for the boys before emergency crews arrived.
Deputies, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel rushed to the scene and worked to rescue the boys. Both were pulled from the sand hole around 1:15 p.m. When first responders reached Derrick Hubbard, he had no pulse. George Watts had a pulse but was unconscious and not breathing on his own. CPR was performed on both boys immediately.
The teens were transported by ambulance to HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness. Derrick Hubbard was pronounced dead on Sunday. George Watts was later flown to UF Health Shands in Gainesville, where he remained in critical condition before being pronounced dead on Tuesday afternoon. His family made the decision to donate George’s organs.
“Our hearts are with both families as they grieve the tremendous loss of their sons,” the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We hope the community will continue to respect their privacy and unite in remembering and celebrating both boys.”
The two boys were known as best friends who shared an inseparable bond. George’s mother, Jasmine Watts, set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses.
“In a tragic accident, we lost our oldest son, George Watts, and his best friend, Derrick Hubbard,” Jasmine Watts wrote on the fundraising page. “These two boys shared a bond that went beyond friendship — they were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future.”
The boys played flag football together in the 352 Legends program, where they won an NFL Flag Football championship. Their coach and mentor, Corey Edwards, remembered them fondly.
Edwards described the boys as leaders on their team with strong leadership traits who helped their teammates become better both on and off the field. He noted that the boys were old-fashioned in the best way, preferring outdoor adventures to technology.
Inverness Middle School released a statement acknowledging the tragedy’s impact on the community. The school made counselors, social workers and psychologists available to students as they navigate this difficult time together.
A memorial has been created at the site of the accident. Community members have visited the location to pay their respects. The Citrus County Education Foundation is working with the community to raise money for both families.
Sand tunnel and hole collapses have claimed multiple young lives in recent years across the United States. These incidents typically occur when children dig deep holes in sandy areas, creating unstable structures that can suddenly cave in with devastating consequences. The weight and pressure of collapsing sand can make it extremely difficult for victims to breathe or escape without immediate assistance.
Safety experts consistently warn against digging holes deeper than knee height, particularly in dry, loose sand which can shift and collapse without warning. Unlike solid materials, sand provides no structural support and can trap victims in seconds. The danger increases exponentially as holes deepen, with the risk of suffocation rising dramatically once sand covers a person’s chest or head.
In beach communities and parks with sandy areas, authorities often post warnings about the dangers of deep holes and tunnels. However, children may not fully understand the risks involved in what seems like innocent play. Parents and guardians are encouraged to supervise children playing in sand and to fill in any deep holes before leaving an area to prevent accidents involving other beachgoers or park visitors.
As the community continues to process this tragedy, support continues to pour in for both the Watts and Hubbard families. The memorial at the collapse site continues to grow with flowers, messages, and tokens of remembrance from those touched by the boys’ lives and deaths.
