Father, Child Saved After Nearly Drowning
EAGLE PASS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station marine unit rescued two undocumented immigrants Sunday morning as they attempted to cross the Rio Grande River.
“Migrants continue to disregard the safety of their lives as well as their children when attempting to cross the Rio Grande River," said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Raul L. Ortiz. "If our agents had not reacted in time, the man and his daughter would have drowned.”
On June 24, Border Patrol agents performing maritime operations observed a father and small child attempting to cross the Rio Grande River near the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. As the individuals were wading across the water, agents saw the child, holding the hand of her father, struggling to stay afloat. The fast-flowing water ultimately submerged the child several times. Agents moved in quickly with their patrol boat and pulled the father and child aboard their vessel.
An EMT agent was on scene to evaluate both the father and child, both Honduran nationals. The father declined medical attention. The two-year-old child was transported to the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center for further evaluation as a precaution. After being released from the hospital, both father and child were processed per CBP guidelines.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.