In an unfortunate incident in Citrus County, Florida, two 14-year-old best friends lost their lives when a sand tunnel they were constructing at a local park collapsed, burying them alive. The incident has left the local community in shock and mourning.
George Watts and Derrick Hubbard were at Sportsman Park in Inverness, Florida, on January 11, 2026, when the accident occurred. The park is situated in Citrus County, around 70 miles north of Tampa.
The boys were reportedly digging a hole and a tunnel in the sand that was approximately four to five feet deep when it suddenly collapsed. The emergency services received a call at 12:44 p.m. about two missing children, with a large hole in the park identified as a possible location where the boys may have been trapped.
Upon realizing their sons were not answering their cellphones, the concerned parents began searching for them. The boys’ bikes and shoes were found near the sandpit, but the boys themselves were nowhere to be seen. Using the GPS on their child’s cellphone, one of the parents managed to pinpoint their location underground. Derrick’s mother, Destiny Rogers, called 911 and began digging with her hands for the boys until the emergency crews arrived.
Upon arrival, deputies, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel immediately started efforts to rescue the boys. By around 1:15 p.m., both boys had been extracted from the sand hole. At that point, Derrick had no pulse and George was unconscious, not breathing independently. Both boys were administered CPR immediately.
The boys were taken to HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness by ambulance. Derrick was declared dead on Sunday. George was later transferred to UF Health Shands in Gainesville in critical condition where he was declared dead on Tuesday afternoon. His family made the decision to donate his organs.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences, stating, “Our hearts are with both families as they grieve the tremendous loss of their sons. We hope the community will continue to respect their privacy and unite in remembering and celebrating both boys.”
George and Derrick were known to be inseparable best friends. George’s mother, Jasmine Watts, established a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs. She wrote on the fundraising page, “In a tragic accident, we lost our oldest son, George Watts, and his best friend, Derrick Hubbard. These two boys shared a bond that went beyond friendship — they were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future.”
The boys were flag football teammates in the 352 Legends program, where they won an NFL Flag Football championship. Their coach, Corey Edwards, remembered them as team leaders with great leadership qualities who made their teammates better on and off the field.
Inverness Middle School, Florida, acknowledged the impact of the tragedy on the community and made counselors, social workers, and psychologists available to students to help them through this difficult time.
A memorial has been erected at the site of the accident and community members have been visiting to pay their respects. The Citrus County Education Foundation is collaborating with the community to raise funds for both families.
Such incidents of sand tunnel and hole collapses leading to fatalities have been reported across the US in recent years. These accidents commonly occur when children dig deep holes in sandy areas, which can create unstable structures that may cave in suddenly. The weight and pressure of collapsing sand can make breathing or escaping extremely difficult.
Experts consistently advise against digging holes deeper than knee height, especially in dry, loose sand, which can shift and collapse unexpectedly. Sand does not provide structural support and can trap victims within seconds. The risk of suffocation increases dramatically once sand covers a person’s chest or head.
Authorities in beach communities and parks often warn about the dangers of deep holes and tunnels. However, children may not fully comprehend the risks associated with such activities. Parents and guardians are urged to supervise children playing in sandy areas and fill in any deep holes before leaving the area to avoid such accidents.
The Citrus County community has come together to mourn and support the affected families. The boys, described by locals as full of energy and joy, were well-liked by those who knew them. Their closeness was a testament to their strong bond, often seen spending their free time together outdoors, playing sports.
This incident is a stark reminder of the potential risks involved in outdoor recreation, even in seemingly safe environments like parks. What started as a day of adventure ended in a tragic loss, leaving two families and an entire community in mourning.
As the community continues to grapple with this tragedy, support for the Watts and Hubbard families is pouring in. The memorial at the site of the collapse has been steadily growing, with flowers, messages, and tokens of remembrance from those affected by the boys’ untimely deaths.