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12-Year-Old Buried by Collapsed Sand Hole Rescued by Father During Thanksgiving Outing in Texas

03:58 PM, 12/01/2025
12-Year-Old Buried by Collapsed Sand Hole Rescued by Father During Thanksgiving Outing in Texas

A 12-year-old girl was rescued after a sand hole she was digging collapsed during a Thanksgiving outing in The Woodlands, Texas. Her father cleared sand from around her head so she could breathe until firefighters and medics arrived. Crews shored up the pit and carefully dug her out; she was uninjured and released to her parents. Experts warn that drying sand or added weight on a hole's rim can cause sudden, dangerous collapses.

A 12-year-old girl is safe after being buried when a large sand hole collapsed during a family outing in The Woodlands, Texas, on Thursday, Nov. 27.

Around 5 p.m., emergency crews were dispatched to a sand bar on the west bank of Panther Creek, roughly 30 miles north of Austin, after reports that a girl had been trapped when the hole she was digging gave way. According to the Woodlands Fire Department, the child was "covered completely" by sand until her father cleared sand away from her head, allowing her to breathe until responders arrived.

Firefighters, medics and deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office converged on the scene just south of the pedestrian bridge. When crews reached the site, only the girl's face and head were visible. Responders from The Woodlands Fire Department, the South Montgomery County Fire Department and the Montgomery County Hospital District worked quickly to shore up the pit and carefully remove sand to extricate the child.

Photos from the scene show first responders surrounding the pit with shovels as they dug to reach her. After being freed, the girl was evaluated by medical personnel, found to be uninjured, and released to her parents. Authorities have not publicly identified the child.

Expert warning: Coastal scientist Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University has warned in a 2024 report that sand holes can collapse suddenly. If the sand forming a hole dries out or if extra weight is placed on the edge, the hole can cave in and sand grains may fill all air pockets, leaving little or no breathable space for anyone trapped inside.

This incident highlights the importance of sand safety: avoid digging deep holes, never allow anyone to enter a deep hole, and keep people and heavy loads away from the edges. Quick action by the girl's father and the coordinated response by emergency teams prevented a far worse outcome during what was meant to be a holiday outing.

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12-Year-Old Buried by Collapsed Sand Hole Rescued by Father During Thanksgiving Outing in Texas - CRBC News