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  4. Sand Vehicle Rollover Claims Two Lives, Injures Two Others

Sand Vehicle Rollover Claims Two Lives, Injures Two Others

Release Date
Wed, 04/29/2020

YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents patrolling the Imperial Sand Dunes area responded to an off-road rollover accident with serious injuries and two deaths Monday evening.

At approximately 7:46 p.m., Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) requested Border Patrol assistance with a and rail involved in a rollover accident in the Imperial Sand Dunes Area near Gordon’s Well.  ICSO reported that the vehicle was still upside down with occupants trapped inside.  Yuma Sector Border Patrol deployed numerous agents, including an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) via ATV’s to reach the remote scene.

A short time later, the first Border Patrol Agent arrived on scene as the first of two Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) Units were landing.  The vehicle contained four subjects, two of whom were trapped inside.  One of the trapped occupants was extracted from the vehicle and provided emergency medical treatment.  At approximately 8:48 p.m., the first aircraft lifted off with a 63-year-old female in route to a medical facility in Palm Springs, California.  The second trapped subject was declared deceased at the scene.  A landing zone was coordinated for the second AE unit to land and an additional helicopter unit with another EMT responded in a CBP Air and Marine Operation’s helicopter.  

Medical personnel including Border Patrol Agents, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Imperial County Coroner’s Office, and ICSO continued working on the other two subjects.  While EMS personnel treated the remaining pair on-scene, they were informed the woman flown to  Desert Regional Medical Center, had passed away. 

Border Patrol agents do much more than just patrol the border and enforce immigration laws.  Often they are the first responders in remote areas.  All United States Border Patrol stations maintain an EMT program.  These agents have responded to countless medical emergencies such as these while performing their regular duties.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021