What began as an ordinary afternoon of childhood adventure ended in unthinkable heartbreak for two Florida families.
Worry quickly turned to panic
George Watts and Derrick “DJ” Hubbard, both just 14 years old and inseparable best friends, were spending the day digging and exploring near a sandpit at Sportsman’s Park in Inverness, about 70 miles north of Tampa.
It was the kind of carefree play adults often encourage — kids outside, using their imagination, enjoying freedom.
“They were just kids,” Corey Edwards, their coach and mentor through the 352 Legends program, told FOX 13.
“They were just kids doing what we try to tell kids to do, ‘Get outside and play.’”
At some point, the boys dug a hole estimated to be four to five feet deep. Without warning, the sandpit collapsed, trapping both teenagers beneath thousands of pounds of loose sand.
When lunchtime came and neither boy answered their phones, worry quickly turned to panic. Derrick’s mother, Destiny Rogers, and George’s parents rushed to the park after discovering their sons’ bikes and shoes abandoned near the pit. Realizing something was terribly wrong, they began digging with their bare hands and called for help.
Died two days after
First responders arrived within minutes and launched a frantic rescue effort.
George was pulled from the sand first. He was alive and had a pulse but was unconscious and unable to breathe on his own. He was rushed to a local hospital and later airlifted to UF Health Shands in Gainesville in critical condition.
Derrick was found moments later. He had no pulse.
Despite emergency efforts, Derrick was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Two days later, at 4:25 a.m. Tuesday, George also succumbed to his injuries.
“They were digging a hole,” Edwards said. “They were having fun, being adventurous, using their imagination. They’re doing things that we preach to kids that we want them to do and, unfortunately, this just turned into a tragedy.”
Grew up side by side
The boys had grown up together and were often described as more like brothers than friends. They had recently celebrated winning a local flag football championship and were known for their kindness, humor, and boundless energy.
“It really killed a part of all of us, losing them,” said Lina Bilodeau. “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.”
In the midst of unimaginable grief, George’s family made a decision that turned loss into hope. His mother, Jasmine Watts, chose to donate his organs, giving others a chance at life.
An honor walk was held at the hospital as medical staff lined the halls in tribute. The following day, Jasmine shared her gratitude publicly.
“Your presence, love, and support meant more than words can ever express,” she wrote. “Standing with our family during such an incredibly difficult moment showed us how much compassion and kindness exists in this world.”
A GoFundMe set up for the families describes the boys’ bond in simple but devastating terms: “They were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future.”
Want to raise awareness
Community members have since rallied around the families, organizing fundraisers, memorials, and events in honor of the boys. Local businesses are hosting charity drives, and neighbors are coming together to ensure George and Derrick are never forgotten.
Family friend Zachariah Roberson called the tragedy both senseless and surreal.
“They were boys that were playing and having fun. There was no crazy circumstance that led to this,” he said.
Roberson also hopes their deaths will raise awareness about a hidden danger many parents never consider. The boys were digging in “sugar sand” — dry, fine sand that appears harmless but can collapse in seconds.
“Dry sand is not stable and it can collapse,” a Clearwater Fire Rescue lifeguard explained. “Sand is very heavy, and it can cause issues as far as respiratory impairment.”
Roberson urged parents to talk to their children about risks beyond the obvious ones.
“If there’s something that I could say is to make sure that you have this conversation with your kids,” he said. “Because awareness, now more than ever, can save lives.”
George Watts and Derrick Hubbard went out to play like countless kids before them. They never came home — but their story, their friendship, and their impact will live on.
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