Inverness, Florida – Two 14-year-old boys, described by their families as best friends, died this week after becoming trapped inside a collapsed sand hole at a park in central Florida. The tragic incident occurred on January 11 at Sportsman Park in Inverness, about 75 miles north of Tampa, according to reporting by USA Today and NBC News.
Incident Unfolded After Boys Failed to Return Home
Authorities said the teenagers were digging holes at Sportsman Park, an activity they reportedly did regularly. When the boys did not return home for lunch, their families grew concerned. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office received a missing-person call at around 12:45 p.m. local time.
According to local reports, the caller told authorities there was a large sand hole at the park and feared the boys were trapped inside. One parent also indicated that their son’s electronic device last pinged in that area.
Rescue Efforts Came Too Late
About 30 minutes after the call, deputies located the collapsed sand hole and pulled both boys from the debris. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where one teenager was pronounced dead.
The second boy was transported in critical condition to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. He died two days later, on January 13, the sheriff’s office confirmed to local media outlets.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to media requests for additional comment.
Families Say Boys Were Inseparable
The teenagers were identified as George Watts and Derrick Hubbard, according to medical examiners cited by ABC News. A GoFundMe page established to assist with medical and funeral expenses described the boys as inseparable friends.
“These two boys shared a bond that went beyond friendship,” the page stated. “They were full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future.”
The fundraiser explained that the boys had dug a tunnel in sugar sand when it suddenly collapsed while they were inside.
School District Offers Support
Inverness Middle School released a statement on January 12 expressing condolences and acknowledging the emotional impact on students and staff.
“This situation has deeply affected many within our school and district community,” the statement said. The district’s crisis support team, including counselors and psychologists, was made available to students throughout the week.
Experts Warn Sand Holes Can Be Deadly
Safety experts say digging deep holes in sand can be extremely dangerous. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that from 1997 to 2007, at least 31 people died due to collapsing sand holes.
Florida International University coastal science professor Stephen Leatherman has warned that dry sand can become unstable and collapse suddenly, leaving little to no air for someone trapped inside. He noted that suffocation can occur in as little as three to five minutes.
Rescue efforts are also complicated because sand is heavy and continues collapsing as rescuers dig.
Similar Incidents Have Occurred Nationwide
Several other sand-hole accidents have made headlines in recent years. In November 2025, a 12-year-old girl was rescued after a sandbar collapsed on her in Texas. In February 2024, a 7-year-old girl died at a Florida beach after a deep hole she was digging collapsed; her brother survived.
Authorities and the National Park Service advise against digging holes deeper than knee height and stress the importance of filling in any holes afterward to prevent injuries to others.
The deaths of George Watts and Derrick Hubbard highlight the hidden dangers of an activity often viewed as harmless childhood play.
