Sherman Police on missing 8-year-old: FULL BRIEFING
Officials in Sherman give an update on the search for 8-year-old Clara Robinson. The 8-year-old was in an SUV that crashed into a drainage ditch in Sherman. Her father, Will Robinson, died following the crash.
SHERMAN, Texas – Sherman police gave an update on Friday about a crash that killed a man and the continuing search for his missing 8-year-old daughter.
What We Know: Local and state crews have been searching for a missing 8-year-old since a crash on Tuesday morning. On Friday, police identified the 8-year-old as Clara Robinson.
Police say an SUV carrying six people from Durant, Oklahoma to McKinney hydroplaned while on Highway 75 in Sherman and crashed into a drainage ditch.
Waters from the heavy rain in the area swept the SUV to a nearby creek.
Police say Will Robinson, Clara’s father, died while trying to rescue a young girl.
Will Robinson (Source: The Owen Foundation)
Crews who responded to the scene say that a little girl was in Robinson’s arms at one time before they were separated. It is unclear if the child in Robinson’s arms with Clara or a 5-year-old who was also rescued.
The 5-year-old girl who pulled out of the water by rescue crews. The girl was unresponsive at the time. Paramedics performed CPR on the girl on the way to the hospital and revived her.
The four rescued family members are now back at home.
Sherman Police say they will continue to search for Clara until she is found.
Community members say Will Robinson is a girls basketball coach at Durant High School in Oklahoma.
What’s Next: Crews, including drones and helicopters, will continue the search on Friday.
Officials with Texas Task Force 2 say it has split its team for the search.
Part of the team is searching the creeks and another is searching what they call “targeted areas of interest.”
What They’re Saying: At Friday’s news conference, Sherman officials spoke about the 5-year-old who was revived after being found in the water.
“To be able to experience bringing that child back to life is amazing. In a tragic time like this, it’s that glimpse of hope that God is good,” said Sherman Police Chief Jason Jeffcoat.
“With a near drowning like that, it’s absolutely remarkable that she was released the next day with no injuries,” said Bart Bowman from Sherman Fire-Rescue.
