US3 min(s) read
In January, two 14-year-old boys went missing whilst out playing in a sandpit in Florida. The families of Derek Hubbard and George Watts have feared that they had fallen to their deaths in a hole.
On Sunday, January 11, officials received a “frantic” call for help after the teenage best friends couldn’t be located at the sandpit close to Sportsman’s Park in Inverness, according to responding officers’ reports shared by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
The emergency services were called by one of the boys’ parents after they went to search the sandpit but found only their bikes and shoes.
Within 20 minutes of digging in the sand pit, the fire service pulled George from the cave-in, and authorities later declared that the friends had dug a hole approximately four to five feet deep before it collapsed on them both and ultimately killed them. It is believed they were trapped under the sand for between 30 and 60 minutes.
One officer noted that George was “alive and had a pulse, however was not conscious or breathing on his own.” Tragically, when Derek was pulled out moments later, he was unresponsive and had no pulse.
However, one of the most heartbreaking things to come out of the tragic accident is the bodycam footage of the boys’ parents' reactions to seeing their children being pulled from the sand. The devastated parents can be seen in hysterics as they realise the severity of the situation.
Tear-jerking footage of the friend's final moments was also recovered from a phone belonging to one of the boys, showing them digging the hole and joking around with each other.
A firefighter later explained that the boys appeared to have dug two connected tunnels and positioned themselves inside them while they were constructing them. Sadly, the tunnels then collapsed, trapping them beneath the sand and making escape impossible.
Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said: “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.”
In a social media post from the time, George’s stepmother Jasmine Watts, said: “Thank you for surrounding us with prayers, strength, and compassion during this unimaginable time.
“Our sweet boy is so deeply loved, beyond words, and that love will always carry him.”
