TUCSON, Ariz. – Agents from the Tucson Sector Border Patrol and the Office of Air and Marine’s Tucson Air Branch rescued an injured illegal immigrant in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, Arizona.
On Feb. 3, at approximately 4 p.m., agents from the Brian A. Terry Station apprehended a group of illegal immigrants. During field processing, agents noticed a male subject with severe injuries to his arm, clavicle and face. Agents contacted the Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team to request additional assistance for the man.
At approximately 8:45 p.m., BORSTAR agents arrived on scene, assessed the man’s injuries, and requested air support. However, due to rugged terrain, a helicopter landing was not be feasible and Air agents certified as Emergency Medical Technicians deployed to prepare the man for extraction.
By 9:55 p.m., agents extracted the victim and delivered him to Emergency Medical Services personnel for further evaluation and transport via Life-Flight to a local hospital.
After the man was treated and medically cleared, agents processed the man for removal in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.
CBP agents frequently shift from law enforcement to rescue mode to assist anyone found in dire situations. Tucson Sector has more than 50 full-time BORSTAR agents, 255 EMTs, 16 paramedics and 32 rescue beacons. The Tucson Air Branch has six EMTs.