8-Year-Old Girl Vanishes, Father Perishes After Car Submerged in Christmas Eve Floodwaters in Texas

An Oklahoma family’s holiday turned tragic as a powerful deluge in Texas swept away their vehicle, leaving an 8-year-old girl missing and her father deceased. Authorities are intensifying efforts to locate the young girl, whose disappearance has prompted a multi-agency rescue operation.

The Sherman Police Department revealed in a formal statement that the family’s vehicle encountered severe flooding while navigating Texas State Highway 75 on December 24. The car became ensnared in a drainage channel and was propelled downstream by the unrelenting torrent, eventually being carried into creeks near Houston.

Emergency responders managed to extricate several occupants from the vehicle; however, the young girl remains unaccounted for.

Collaborating with state-level entities, including Texas Task Force 2, search crews have meticulously combed through the expansive branches of Post Oak and Choctaw creeks. Yet, the elusive girl has not been located.

“We are extending our search deeper into the county and will examine additional locations of interest,” Sherman Police Lieutenant Samuel Boyle shared with Fox News. “A designated 15-mile stretch of creek downstream from where the vehicle halted has been our primary focus, utilizing a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional task force.”

Tragically, it has been confirmed that the child’s father, Will Robinson, succumbed to the incident. Robinson, a highly regarded basketball coach at Durant High School in Oklahoma, was among six family members in the ill-fated vehicle. Four others were successfully rescued by authorities.

According to CBS News, family members and colleagues expressed their sorrow online, mourning Robinson as a dedicated mentor and family man. Oklahoma broadcaster Jim Reagan commemorated Robinson in an X post, describing him as “an extraordinary coach and a father figure to countless players.” Reagan added, “Coach Rob will be deeply missed.”

Despite treacherous weather conditions forecasted for the area, which have temporarily delayed operations, police remain resolute in their mission. Search activities will recommence as soon as the safety of rescue teams can be assured.

“We deeply value the outpouring of support and offers to assist,” Sherman police emphasized. “There are already numerous seasoned search teams engaged, equipped with extensive expertise in situations like this. Additional personnel and equipment are not currently necessary.”

Authorities have encouraged anyone possessing potentially helpful information to contact their non-emergency hotline at 903-892-7290.

As rescue teams persist against formidable odds, the community holds its breath, united in hope for the young girl’s safe return.