At a Glance
- Two 14-year-old best friends, George Watts and Derrick Hubbard Jr., died after a sand tunnel they were digging collapsed at a Florida park.
- The tunnel, estimated at four to five feet deep, trapped both boys; Watts was pulled out alive but unconscious, while Hubbard had no pulse.
- Both teens passed away-Hubbard at the scene and Watts two days later on January 13.
- Why it matters: The tragedy highlights hidden dangers in everyday play areas and has devastated their school and local community.
A routine afternoon of digging turned fatal for two 14-year-old best friends in Inverness, Florida, when a sand tunnel they had carved near Sportsman’s Park collapsed, burying them alive.
The Collapse
On Sunday, January 11, George Watts and Derrick Hubbard Jr. left Hubbard’s home after telling Hubbard’s mother, Destiny Rogers, they were heading back to the sand pit to continue digging-something they often did for fun. When Rogers called the boys to say lunch was ready and got no answer, she asked her fiancé to check on them. He found their bikes and shoes beside the pit, but no sign of the teens.
Rogers told deputies she “immediately feared for the worst” and raced to the site, beginning to dig frantically. A frantic 911 call summoned first responders within minutes.
- Fire personnel reached the scene and began excavating the loose sand.
- Within 20 minutes they located and extracted Watts; he had a pulse but was not breathing on his own.
- Rescuers continued searching and soon found Hubbard, who had no pulse and was unresponsive.
Both boys were rushed to area hospitals. Hubbard was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Watts clung to life until the morning of Tuesday, January 13, when he, too, succumbed to his injuries, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Of Los Angeles.
Community Grief
The deaths have shaken Inverness Middle School, which both teens attended. Administrators called the incident a “tragedy” and made grief counselors available to students and staff.
> “This situation has deeply affected many within our school and district community,” the school said in a statement.
Watts’ stepmother, Jasmine, described the loss on a GoFundMe page created to help both families with funeral expenses.
> “In a tragic accident we lost our oldest son, George Watts, and his best friend, Derrick Hubbard,” she wrote. “These two boys shared a bond that went beyond friendship-they were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future.”
She called the event an “unimaginable nightmare that every parent fears.”
The sheriff’s office offered its condolences, saying:
> “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.”
A Final Farewell
Jasmine Watts announced plans for an honor walk for George on Wednesday, January 14, thanking the community for its support.
> “Thank you for surrounding us with prayers, strength, and compassion during this unimaginable time,” she posted on social media. “Our sweet boy is so deeply loved, beyond words, and that love will always carry him.”
Key Takeaways:
- The tunnel was about four to five feet deep when it caved in.
- First responders reached Watts within 20 minutes of arrival.
- Both families are receiving community support through fundraisers and counseling services.
