An Oklahoma high school basketball coach, Will Robinson, was found dead after floodwaters swept him away alongside his family. When the accident took place, they were driving their SUV on Christmas Eve in Texas. While authorities have rescued four family members, Robinson's 8-year-old daughter, Clara, remains missing.
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"We are still unsuccessful in our efforts to locate the 8-year-old girl," Lieutenant Samuel Boyle told Fox News Digital. "We have identified a 15-mile stretch of creek downstream from where the vehicle stopped, and we have targeted that with the multi-jurisdictional task force."
The Sherman Police Department is currently shifting its rescue focus "into the county." They will target other possible locations they have not searched yet. "Our search will continue until dark today, then we will resume searching again before daylight," the Sherman Police Department said.
A Search, Continued
Lieutenant Boyle continued to talk about the incident with Fox News. Moreover, he stated that the accident took place after heavy downpour and groundwater combined. "Somehow that caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a drainage ditch... and the vehicle got caught in the flooding in the drainage ditch," Boyle said.
"It likely had to do with a large accumulation of water and maybe some hydroplaning, which is a very dangerous situation," Boyle continued. "Once they're in that drainage ditch, they're really at the mercy of the water flow and the speed at which that's going down. it's a tragedy, it really is."
While the search for Clara continues, the Sherman Police Department is thankful for the amount of support received. "We appreciate all the offers for assistance and are thankful for your concern and willingness to help," the Sherman Police Department said in a
release on Facebook. "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."Many family members and friends posted on social media, expressing their heartbreak over Will Robinson's passing and Clara's unknown whereabouts. "Will was one of the good ones," Susan Sumsurf, Will Robinson's cousin, shared on Facebook.
She described Will Robinson as "a devoted husband and father, a beloved basketball coach, and just a great person." "Will's mother is like a sister and Will's dad and Will were very close," continued. "Please keep the entire Robinson family in your thoughts and prayers."
