11-year-old girl remembered as a hero after giving her life to save cousin in tubing accident

What began as a sunny summer day filled with family laughter on the water ended in heartbreak — and an act of extraordinary bravery that will never be forgotten.

On Tuesday, June 24, eleven-year-old Jordan Roe was spending the afternoon with relatives at Star Lake, a peaceful spot along the Putnam–Alachua county line in Florida. The family had gathered for a barbecue, mixing food, fun, and tubing behind a Sea-Doo jet ski. For the children, it was the perfect day — until it suddenly wasn’t.

The crash

Jordan was riding with her 8-year-old cousin, Laila, and their 9-year-old friend Brylee when the jet ski pulling their tube slammed into a dock. The violent impact threw all three children into the lake.

Brylee escaped with only bruises. Laila, however, was left badly injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. In the confusion that followed, early reports mistakenly claimed the youngest child had died. But as the family quickly learned, it was Jordan who didn’t survive.

Her final act of love

According to relatives, Jordan — known as the “protector” of the family — shielded her cousin in those terrifying moments, saving Laila’s life at the cost of her own.

“Jordan sacrificed her life, and she saved her cousin’s life with her life,” her aunt shared through tears.

Laila has since endured multiple surgeries and remains in the pediatric ICU. Doctors say her chances of survival are due in no small part to Jordan’s last act of selflessness.

A grieving mother’s plea

At the time of the accident, Kristine Robinson, mother of Laila and Brylee, was in Tampa caring for her newborn in a neonatal ICU. When she got the call, her world collapsed.

Through her grief, she has urged other families to treasure every moment and take water safety seriously.
“I just ask everyone, hold your babies tight,” she told WJHG. “We all want to have fun with our kids. Please be careful.”

A legacy of kindness

Jordan wasn’t just brave — she was a child who carried compassion in everything she did. She loved animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Friends and family recall how she was always the first to help, always the one to check on others.

“Jordan died as she lived — protecting her family,” Robinson said. “Even in her passing, she gave the gift of life to others through organ donation.”

A GoFundMe campaign in Jordan’s memory describes her as a “free spirit and compassionate soul” whose light touched everyone she met.

Family friend Allison Hadley added in a Facebook tribute:
“The love, laughter, and joy you brought will echo in our hearts forever. You were a light in our lives, and that light will never fade.”

A community in mourning

Two fundraising pages have been set up: one to cover Jordan’s funeral costs, and another to help with Laila’s extensive medical care. Donations and tributes have poured in from strangers across the country, moved by Jordan’s courage.

Longtime Star Lake resident Steven Gabbard spoke for many in the community:
“Oh my gosh. It’s unbelievable. Star Lake is usually so peaceful. You don’t expect this kind of tragedy.”

Remembering a hero

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to investigate, asking witnesses for any video or details about the crash. But for Jordan’s family, one truth is already clear: she will be remembered not for how she died, but for how she lived — with a heart full of love, and the courage to give everything for someone else.

Jordan’s final act of protection lives on in Laila, who continues to fight for her recovery. And her story stands as a powerful reminder that true heroes can be found in the most unexpected places — even in the heart of an eleven-year-old girl.