Authorities in Texas are actively looking for an 8-year-old girl from Oklahoma who disappeared on Christmas Eve following the tragic incident where her family’s vehicle was carried off by floodwaters, resulting in her father’s death.
According to a statement from the Sherman Police Department, a vehicle was on Texas State Highway 75 on Tuesday, Dec. 24, when it became “trapped in the drainage ditch” and was carried “down the creek towards Houston” by powerful currents.
Authorities reported that they managed to save “some of the occupants” from the car, but the 8-year-old girl remains unaccounted for.
Authorities have initiated a search and rescue operation in Sherman, collaborating with state agencies such as Texas Task Force 2. The search area has been expanded to include the lower branches of Post Oak and Choctaw creeks in an effort to find the girl.
Authorities continue their search efforts, stating they will concentrate on the county and explore potential areas that remain unsearched.
Lt. Samuel Boyle from the Sherman police department informed Fox News: “We have pinpointed a 15-mile section of creek downstream from the location where the vehicle came to a halt, and we have focused our efforts there with the multi-jurisdictional task force.”
A report from The Oklahoman reveals that police have successfully rescued four of the six family members involved in the car incident, while one occupant — the girl’s father — tragically did not survive the crash.
Friends and family members online have identified him as Will Robinson, a basketball coach at Durant High School in Oklahoma, as reported by CBS.
On Thursday, Dec. 26, authorities announced that they have intensified their search efforts for the girl, even with the anticipated rain, which could potentially lead to a temporary halt for the safety of the Rescue Teams.
They indicated that the ongoing search efforts would persist once they reached a secure location.
“We appreciate all the offers for assistance and are thankful for your concern and willingness to help,” the Sherman police said. “There are dozens of search teams already deployed, who possess vast experience in these types of operations. We are not in any need of further personnel or equipment.”
In a recent post, Oklahoma broadcaster Jim Reagan reflected on the late Robinson, describing him as “an outstanding coach” and the “ultimate ‘family man’ to his players.”
The Sherman police are urging anyone with potentially useful information regarding the girl’s whereabouts to reach out by calling their non-emergency number at 903-892-7290.