Oklahoma City, OK – The search for 8-year-old Clara Robinson, who went missing after a tragic car accident on Christmas Eve near Sherman, Texas, has entered its fifth day, with authorities continuing their efforts to locate the young girl.
Clara and her family were traveling from Oklahoma to McKinney, Texas, for the holiday when their vehicle was swept away by sudden floodwaters. The Sherman Police Department reported that the crash occurred in an area where heavy rains and flooding had caused dangerous conditions. Local rescue teams quickly responded to the scene, saving four of the six occupants from the submerged vehicle.
Among the survivors was a 5-year-old girl who was unresponsive at the time of her rescue. Emergency medical personnel from Sherman Fire Rescue administered life-saving measures during transport, and thanks to their quick actions, the young girl is now home with her mother and siblings, recovering from the ordeal.
Tragically, Clara’s father, Will Robinson, did not survive the accident. Authorities stated that he had been holding Clara in his arms at one point during the flood, but the two were later found separated. It appears that Will Robinson was attempting to save his daughter during the harrowing event, but the floodwaters ultimately took a tragic toll.
Sherman Police Chief Jason Jeffcoat commended the swift actions of the first responders, stating, “Rescuers worked quickly to stop the vehicle’s movement, rescuing four of the occupants.” Despite these efforts, Clara remains unaccounted for, and search teams from across Texas have been tirelessly combing through the area. Crews have been searching the water, nearby ground, and airspace, focusing on large piles of driftwood and eddies where Clara might have been carried.
The search operation has been a race against time, as authorities remain hopeful that Clara may still be found. “We continue to search diligently, and we will not stop until we locate Clara,” said Chief Jeffcoat in a statement Friday.
As the days pass, family members, friends, and the community hold out hope for Clara’s safe return. The ongoing search is a reminder of the devastating power of floodwaters and the heroic efforts of local first responders who continue their tireless work in the wake of this tragedy.
