A tragic Christmas Eve in Texas has turned into a desperate search for an 8-year-old girl after her family’s vehicle was swept away by floodwaters. Will Robinson, a high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, and father of the missing girl, did not survive the ordeal.
The incident occurred on Texas State Highway 75 when the family’s car became trapped in a drainage ditch and was carried by strong currents down a creek towards Houston. Emergency services were able to rescue four out of the six occupants, but the young girl remains missing.
The Sherman Police Department has mobilized an extensive search operation, involving state agencies like Texas Task Force 2, to comb through areas including the lower branches of Post Oak and Choctaw creeks. Despite these efforts, the girl has not yet been found, leading the search to expand into other parts of the county to cover untapped locations.
Lt. Samuel Boyle from Sherman police highlighted the focus on a 15-mile stretch of creek downstream from where the vehicle was last seen. The search efforts faced challenges due to forecasted rain, which could temporarily pause operations for the safety of the rescue teams. However, authorities have assured that the search would resume as soon as conditions allow.
The community and authorities alike have mourned the loss of Will Robinson, who was remembered by Oklahoma broadcaster Jim Reagan on X as an “outstanding coach” and the “ultimate ‘family man’ to his players.” His death has left a significant void in the community and among his basketball team.
The Sherman Police Department expressed gratitude for the public’s willingness to help but stressed that they do not require additional resources or personnel, indicating that there are already “dozens of search teams deployed, who possess vast experience in these types of operations.”
The police have urged anyone with information that could aid in locating the missing girl to contact them at their non-emergency number, 903-892-7290. As the search continues, the community remains hopeful for a positive outcome in this heart-wrenching situation.