SHERMAN, Texas – The search for a missing 8-year-old girl in Oklahoma continued Saturday with a North Texas rescue team. She waded through the floodwaters that swept her away on Christmas Eve..
Police say Clara Robinson’s father, Will Robinson, 36, is a hero for his courageous actions in trying to save his daughter after the family’s car crashed into a culvert at Highway 75 and Taylor Street. is praised as such.
A wake for Robinson, a popular high school basketball coach, was held Friday in Durant, Oklahoma.
Authorities said Will Robinson struggled to hold on to his daughter for as long as he could before rising waters washed over him. He didn’t survive. Sherman police announced Friday that four other family members, including a 5-year-old child, were rescued and recently released from an area hospital.
“The reports we have are that the father did have the girl in his arms during the event, but they were not seen together afterwards, so it appeared that the father was trying to save the girl. That’s for sure,” Bart said. Bowman, deputy chief of operations for Sherman Fire Rescue, attended a joint news conference Friday with other local and state law enforcement agencies.
First responders are facing challenges this week as troubled weather conditions hamper searches. However, as the sky cleared by Friday afternoon, the Public Security Bureau dispatched a helicopter to assist in the operation.
Search for 8-year-old Clara Robinson
Rescue teams including Sherman Fire and Rescue, Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Task Force 2 are conducting a search focused on the area where the crash occurred, starting from Choctaw Creek to post It has expanded its range to a 16-mile stretch to Oak. Creek.
Jeffcoat said one of the four people rescued after the crash was a 5-year-old girl who narrowly escaped death after being swept away by strong currents. First responders managed to pull her out of the creek and, although she was initially unresponsive, they were able to revive her using CPR in the back seat of the ambulance.
“It’s amazing that we were able to bring him back to life,” Jeffcoat said. “Even in these tragic times, there are still glimpses of hope that God will help us.”
He was discharged from the hospital the next day and returned home with his mother and siblings.
Jeffcoat also warned the public about fraudulent accounts soliciting money on behalf of the Robinson family. He urged the community to check the authenticity of donation requests before donating.
“Our main priority for the past four days has been, and continues to be, finding this 8-year-old girl,” Jeffcoat said. “We ask the community to keep the family in your prayers during this time of immense sadness.”
On Thursday, Sherman police said they were hoping for a miracle in the search given the difficult weather conditions and vast terrain.
“We haven’t changed the title. We’re still looking for a miracle,” said Lt. Gov. Sam Boyle.
At the end of Friday’s news conference, Jeffcoat said his team will not stop searching for the missing girl.
“We’re going to keep searching until we find Clara,” he said.
