Two 14-year-old friends, George Watts and Derrick Hubbard, were buried when a roughly 5-foot sand tunnel they were digging collapsed at a sandpit near Sportsman’s Park in Inverness on Jan. 11. Hubbard was found without a pulse and later pronounced dead; Watts was rescued unconscious, airlifted to UF Health Shands and died two days later. The boys, who had recently won a local flag football championship, are being mourned by family, teammates and the community. Authorities have not yet released a full timeline of how long they were trapped.
Two 14-Year-Old Friends Die After Sand Tunnel Collapse in Inverness
Florida teens buried alive in deadly sand tunnel collapse
A Florida community is grieving after two 14-year-old boys were buried when a sand tunnel they were digging collapsed at a local sandpit near Sportsman’s Park in Inverness on Jan. 11.
Best friends George Watts and Derrick Hubbard, pictured as younger children, were killed when their sandpit collapsed while digging near a park in Inverness, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.(Fox News)
What Happened
According to reports obtained by FOX 13 and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, George Watts and Derrick Hubbard were digging a hole and a tunnel in a sandpit when the sand gave way. The tunnel was reportedly about 5 feet deep when it collapsed, trapping the two boys.
A makeshift memorial stands where George Watts and Derrick Hubbard were killed when their sandpit collapsed while they were playing at a local beach in Inverness, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
The boys' parents became concerned when neither son answered their phones around lunchtime. They went to the area, found the boys' bicycles and shoes by the sandpit, and began digging while calling for help. First responders arrived and continued rescue efforts.
George Watts and Derrick Hubbard were lifelong best friends before both boys were killed when their sandpit collapsed while they were playing at a local beach in Inverness, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
Rescue and Medical Response
Emergency crews found Derrick Hubbard without a pulse; he was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead. George Watts was located unconscious and not breathing but with a pulse. He was taken to a local hospital and later airlifted to UF Health Shands in Gainesville in critical condition. Watts was pronounced dead two days later at 4:25 a.m., according to FOX 13.
Officials have not released exact details about how long the boys were trapped in the sand.
Reactions and Remembrance
"They were just kids," said Corey Edwards, the boys' coach and mentor with the 352 Legends program. "They were just kids doing what we try to tell kids to do, 'Get outside and play.'"
Friends and family described Watts and Hubbard as inseparable, like brothers. The boys had recently celebrated winning the Citrus NFL Flag Football league championship and were remembered as kind, funny and adventurous.
"It really killed a part of all of us, losing them," Lina Bilodeau told FOX 13. "This is a pain that will never subside. Born together and passed together. A true friendship most of us as adults never even get to experience."
Ongoing Questions
Authorities have not released a full timeline of the rescue or a final report on the circumstances that led to the collapse. Investigators typically examine site conditions and witness statements in such cases to determine contributing factors. Local leaders and community members are calling for increased awareness about the dangers of digging deep holes or tunnels in loose sand.
Help us improve.
