11-Year-Old Hero Saves Cousin in Tubing Accident
The start of summer in Florida brought heartbreak to one family when 11-year-old Jordan Roe tragically lost her life in a tubing accident at Star Lake on June 24, 2025. Remembered by her loved ones as “the protector,” Jordan lived up to that title in her final moments. She had been spending the day with her cousins, 8-year-old Laila and 9-year-old Brylee, enjoying tubing behind a Sea-Doo jet ski and celebrating at a family barbecue.
The fun turned to tragedy when the watercraft veered out of control, struck a dock, and threw the children into the water. Initially, officials misidentified the victim as Laila. It was later confirmed that Jordan had passed away, while Laila was critically injured and Brylee sustained only minor injuries. Family members say Jordan shielded her cousins at the moment of impact. “She sacrificed her life to save her cousin,” her aunt shared.
Laila has undergone multiple surgeries, while her mother, Kristine Robinson, was in Tampa caring for a newborn when she received the devastating call. She now urges other families to cherish every moment: “Hold your babies tight… accidents happen in a blink.”
Though Jordan’s dream of becoming a veterinarian will never be fulfilled, her legacy continues through organ donation — a decision that has already saved lives. Two GoFundMe campaigns were created to support Jordan’s funeral costs and Laila’s medical care, drawing an outpouring of support from across the country. Neighbors at Star Lake remain deeply shaken, describing the area as normally quiet and peaceful. Jordan’s memory lives on through the cousin she protected and the lives touched by her final gift of generosity.
