Teenage best friends die after sand hole collapses, burying them alive at Florida park
Two teenage boys have tragically died after the sand hole they dug collapsed on them and buried them alive in a Florida park.
The 14-year-old best friends were playing at Sportsman Park in Inverness, Florida on Sunday when the 1.5m deep hole they had dug in the sand collapsed on top of them, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday, the boys were identified as 14-year-olds George Watts and Derrick Hubbard, the Florida District 8 and District 5 Medical Examiners’ offices told ABC News.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The caller reported that two 14-year-old children were lost in the park, and there was a large hole; the caller thought the children were trapped inside the hole,” the sheriff’s office said.
Around 12.44pm local time, the boy’s parents found their bikes and shoes by the sandpit, however when they couldn’t find the two teenagers they called authorities and started digging, Fox13 reports.
Deputies, firefighters, and medical services rushed to the park in an attempt to rescue the boys after one of the parents pinpointed the location of their son’s phone - showing they were underground.
Almost half an hour after the boys were first reported missing, they were pulled from the sand and immediately given CPR before being taken by ambulance to HCA Florida Citrus Hospital in Inverness.
Mr Watts was alive and had a pulse when first responders got to him, however he wasn’t conscious or breathing on his own. He was flown to UF Health Shands in Gainesville in a critical condition, but unfortunately died on Tuesday.
Mr Hubbard was unresponsive without a pulse when first responders reached him. Despite immediate CPR, he was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day.
Jasmine Watts, the mother of Mr Watts, shared a heartbreaking message on a GoFundMe post for the boys, calling the incident an “unimaginable nightmare”.
“While playing together, the boys dug a tunnel in sugar sand and were inside when it suddenly collapsed. In an instant, our world was shattered,” she said.
“What should have been another day of childhood adventure turned into a heartbreaking loss that no parent should ever have to endure.”
Ms Watts said the boys shared a bond that went beyond friendship: “They were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future.”
In a statement, the 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”.
