SHERMAN – The search for an 8-year-old Oklahoma girl missing since she was swept away by raging waters on Christmas Eve continued without success Wednesday. That followed a tragic incident Tuesday when his family’s SUV left the road, got stuck in a drainage ditch near US 75 and Taylor Street, and was swept away by strong currents.
The single-vehicle crash happened around 9:30 a.m., trapping six occupants inside, according to the Sherman Police Department.
His father, Will Robinson, a well-respected high school coach from Durant, Oklahoma, did not survive. Four other family members were rescued, police said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott authorized state search and rescue teams to help find the boy.
On Wednesday, the search expanded to areas outside of Sherman, including the lower branches of Post Oak and Choctaw creeks.
By 2 p.m., searchers had traversed about 7 miles of creek without success. Efforts then moved across the county, targeting new locations that had not yet been searched. The search continued until dark, with the intention of resuming before daybreak on Thursday.
As of 4 p.m., the Sherman Police Department said, “Extensive searches have been conducted over the past 36 hours” and efforts had been unsuccessful so far.
“Last but not least, we ask everyone to please respect the privacy the family is requesting at this time, in this period of unimaginable grieving,” the department said on social media. “When we have an update on this case that we can share, we will let everyone know.”
Meanwhile, the department said it does not currently need additional research volunteers or donations.
“Sherman, you are all tirelessly kind in so many ways, like continually bringing us snacks and drinks, for example,” Sherman police said in a social media post.
“Respectfully, we don’t need anything else at this time. Getting these donations takes some work, and right now, 100% of our efforts need to be focused on finding this 8-year-old girl.”
Anyone with “relevant” information is asked to contact the Sherman Police Department’s non-emergency number at (903) 892-7290.