11-Year-Old Florida Girl Remembered as Hero After Saving Cousin in Tubing Accident

For most families, the start of summer in Florida means sunshine, laughter, and afternoons spent on the water. But for the Roe family, June 24, 2025, became a date marked not by joy, but by heartbreak — and by an extraordinary act of courage from 11-year-old Jordan Roe.

Jordan was known as “the protector” of her family. Compassionate and selfless, she had a natural instinct to watch over those around her. Whether helping at home, looking out for her cousins, or standing up for classmates, Jordan lived with a heart full of empathy and love.

That Tuesday afternoon, Jordan, her 8-year-old cousin Laila, and 9-year-old Brylee were tubing on Star Lake, which straddles the line between Putnam and Alachua Counties. What began as a carefree day of family fun quickly turned into tragedy when the jet ski pulling them lost control and collided with a dock. The children were thrown into the water, and in the chaos, Jordan’s final, selfless act became clear: she shielded her cousin, saving Laila’s life at the cost of her own.

Brylee escaped with only minor injuries, but Laila was critically hurt and rushed to a hospital, where she continues to undergo surgeries. Her family believes she survived only because Jordan stepped in front of her during the crash. “She sacrificed her life for her cousin,” Jordan’s aunt said. “That’s who she was — always making sure everyone else was safe first.”

A Family Shattered

At the time of the accident, Laila and Brylee’s mother, Kristine Robinson, was away in Tampa with her newborn in the NICU. The devastating phone call changed her world in an instant: one child in intensive care and another — her niece — gone forever. Through tears, she has urged other families to cherish every moment. “Please, hold your babies close,” she said. “Accidents happen in the blink of an eye.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Laila continues to fight, and her family says she draws strength from her cousin’s sacrifice.

Jordan’s Lasting Legacy

Jordan’s dreams were big: she loved animals and hoped to become a veterinarian. Her family recalls how she would look at her hands each morning to see if they were steady enough to one day perform surgeries on pets in need. She was described on a GoFundMe page as “a free spirit, full of energy, compassion, and love.”

Her selflessness didn’t end with her passing. Through organ donation, Jordan gave the gift of life to others in need. “That was our Jordan,” Robinson shared. “Always giving, always thinking of others.”

A Community Mourns, A Hero Remembered

Two fundraisers — one for Jordan’s funeral expenses and another to support Laila’s recovery — have received overwhelming support from people across the country. Neighbors and strangers alike have been moved by Jordan’s courage, sending donations and words of comfort.

Longtime Star Lake resident Steven Gabbard reflected on the tragedy: “This lake is usually so peaceful. You never expect something like this here. But even in heartbreak, we’ve all been touched by Jordan’s bravery.”

Friends and family describe Jordan as a bright light whose love and laughter will never fade. One family friend, Allison Hadley, wrote in a tribute: “You brought so much joy, and that joy will echo in our hearts forever.”

Jordan Roe lived only 11 years, but her courage, kindness, and final sacrifice will be remembered for generations. Her story is one of heartbreaking loss, but also of the incredible power of love — a love strong enough to save another’s life.