Dec 27, 2024, 10:57 PM
Dec 25, 2024, 8:39 PM

8-year-old girl missing as floodwaters sweep away SUV in Texas tragedy

Tragic
Highlights
  • An Oklahoma family's SUV was swept away by floodwaters in North Texas, trapping six occupants inside.
  • Emergency responders rescued four family members while Will Robinson was found dead, and his 8-year-old daughter remains missing.
  • The search for the missing girl continues, with multiple agencies involved and no success after extensive efforts.
Story

In a tragic incident that occurred in the days leading up to Christmas, an Oklahoma family's SUV was swept away by floodwaters in North Texas. The accident happened on Tuesday around 9:30 a.m., when the vehicle veered off the roadway and became trapped in a drainage ditch near U.S. 75 and Taylor Street. Will Robinson, a respected high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, was inside the vehicle along with his wife and four children. The floodwaters quickly overwhelmed the SUV, leading to a life-threatening situation for all occupants. Emergency responders managed to rescue four family members; however, Will Robinson did not survive the incident. Authorities are actively searching for the couple's 8-year-old daughter, who remains missing after being swept away by the raging waters. The Sherman Police Department has been leading the search efforts, focusing on areas where the girl is believed to have been carried. Search teams are utilizing various resources such as K9 units, drones, and dive teams to navigate the creek systems in the area. Despite extensive searching over several miles along Post Oak Creek, the search has unfortunately not yielded any results so far. Lt. Sam Boyle from the Sherman Police Department has expressed hope for a positive outcome, stating that the search will continue until they cannot proceed any further. Multiple agencies, including Texas Task Force 2, have joined in the rescue mission, searching beyond the immediate area of the accident. After the SUV left the roadway, law enforcement indicated that the conditions leading to the accident were likely related to heavy rainfall in the area, which caused a significant accumulation of water on the roads. Hydroplaning, a serious hazard in such conditions, may have contributed to the vehicle losing control. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by flooding and inclement weather, particularly during the holiday season when many families are traveling. Authorities have urged the public to drive cautiously in wet conditions, emphasizing the risks associated with attempting to navigate through flooded roadways. As search efforts continue, the community has rallied, but the police department has requested privacy for the Robinson family during this unimaginably difficult time. They have assured the public that updates will be provided as new information arises. The tragic loss of Will Robinson, a beloved coach and devoted father, has left a profound impact on the local community, who are now joining together to support the family and pray for the missing child's safe return.

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