ESCOBARES, Texas ̶̶ A Rio Grande City Border Patrol Agent put his lifesaving skills to use in the Rio Grande after a vehicle bailout near Eagle Street.
“When I arrived at the riverbank I observed two people whose arms were flailing and they were fighting to stay afloat, I immediately ran into the water to extract them,” said Border Patrol Agent Jorge Perez. “The second teen was struggling to breathe after I placed him on the riverbank but was stabilized within minutes.”
Riverbank of Rio Grande where Border Patrol Agents rescued two individuals struggling to stay afloat.
On September 27th at 8:40 p.m., Rio Grande City Agents responded to an assist call from the Roma Police Department. They informed the agents of approximately eight people that were hiding in the local brush. As the search began, splashing from the Rio Grande grabbed the Border Patrol Agents’ attention.
An agent observed two individuals struggling to stay afloat close to the riverbank of the Rio Grande. The individuals began to submerge with only their hands visible above the water. The agent jumped into the Rio Grande and pulled them to the riverbank safely one at a time.
EMT personnel from the Rio Grande City Station evaluated and cleared a 17 year old man from El Salvador and a 19 year old man from Mexico. They were given dry clothes and food while awaiting deportation processing for attempted illegal entry into the U.S.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.