DEL RIO, Texas – On May 16, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector Border Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team, with the assistance of the CBP Office of Air and Marine, successfully rescued three individuals by boat.
Del Rio Sector's BORSTAR team rescued three individuals stranded in flood waters, May 16.
“Immigrants frequently attempt to enter the U.S. by making the dangerous trek across the Rio Grande without thinking of the elements and dangers that they may face,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Rodolfo Karisch. “Our men and women of the Border Patrol stand ready even in these dire situations to assist them in their time of need, I am very proud of their dedication.”
At approximaterly 8:23 a.m., the Carrizo Springs Border Patrol Station was notified through the Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office, that a 911 call was placed regarding three stranded people in a deer blind near Carrizo Springs. Agents assigned to the Uvalde and Carrizo Springs stations responded to the GPS coordinates given by the 911 operator, but were unable to reach the subjects due to the significant rainfall.
At approximately 11 a.m., a helicopter from OAM was requested due to the widespread flooding. The pilot was able to make a visual confirmation of the three, but advised there was no way for vehicles to reach their location. The BORSTAR team was then activated to assist in the rescue efforts. Once on scene the BORSTAR agents advised that the water current was too strong to enter afoot and that a boat was dispatched to conduct a swift water rescue.
BORSTAR agents are certified Emergency Medical Technicians and skilled at identifying injuries and assessing levels of injury to determine if advanced care is needed. All three rescuees were uninjured, and did not require medical attention. The three subjects were identified as Mexican nationals, who became stranded after entering the U.S. illegally after heavy rains poured down around much of the area. They were subsequently transported to the Carrizo Springs Border Patrol Station for processing in accordance with CBP policy.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations.