Sherman, Texas — The search continues for 8-year-old Clara Robinson, who was swept away by floodwaters on Christmas Eve.
On Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m., a family traveling from Durant to McKinney lost control of their vehicle on U.S. Highway 75. The car hydroplaned and plunged into a flooded drainage ditch. Sherman emergency responders arrived quickly and managed to rescue four of the six passengers from the vehicle. Tragically, an 8-year-old girl was carried away by the current, and the father lost his life during the incident.
Sherman Police Chief Jason Jeffcoat identified the victims as Clara Robinson and her father, Will Robinson. Will, a beloved high school girls basketball coach in the Durant Independent School District.
Robinson, who lost his life attempting to rescue Clara, is being remembered for his heroic efforts to save his daughter. Authorities stated that he held onto his daughter until rising waters separated them. Four other family members, including a 5-year-old girl, were rescued and have been released from the hospital.
Rescue teams face challenging conditions as they comb through a 10-mile stretch from Choctaw Creek to Post Oak Creek. Clearer skies on Friday allowed the Department of Public Safety to deploy helicopters to aid in the search.
Sherman Police Chief Jason Jeffcoat acknowledged the difficulty of the operation but vowed to continue the search. “We’re going to keep looking until we find Clara,” he said.
The tragedy has sparked community support, though police warn against fraudulent donation accounts claiming to assist the Robinson family.
Despite the heartbreak, a glimmer of hope emerged when first responders resuscitated Clara’s 5-year-old sister after she nearly drowned. “To bring that child back to life is amazing,” Jeffcoat said.
As the search presses on, the community is urged to pray for the family during this unimaginable loss.
