PEMBINA N.D. — On July 9, 2020 at approximately 8:00 a.m., a Grand Forks Sector Border Patrol Agent assigned to the Pembina Station witnessed an airplane crash in a field while on patrol west of Pembina, ND. The Agent, who is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), immediately responded to the scene and requested support from Emergency Medical Services and local law enforcement via Grand Forks Sector Dispatch.
Upon arrival, the Agent observed the injured pilot outside of the burning aircraft. He assisted in moving the man to safety and immediately rendered first aid while waiting for additional personnel to arrive. Due to recent precipitation, the field was too muddy to access with patrol vehicles. Additional agents arrived on scene and assisted in carrying the man out of the field on a litter to the nearest road. Local EMS arrived shortly after and transported the man to the nearest hospital where he was provided medical attention for his injuries.
Local law enforcement also responded and provided scene security. The Federal Aviation Administration is primary investigative agency for this incident.
“Nationwide, law enforcement officers respond to incidents on a daily basis, which are far from routine,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent William J. Maddocks. “Quite often, complex life threatening situations unravel right before our eyes, and this situation was no different. Just as many departments, we are fortunate to have agents that are both trained and prepared to respond in an instant to a variety of emergencies. I am thankful that we had an agent, who is also an EMT, who happened to be right there when this crash occurred.”
In addition to fulfilling our border security mission, agents provide an additional emergency response capability in the areas they are assigned and are often amongst the first on scene at accidents and critical incidents. Grand Forks Sector currently has 18 agents that are certified as EMTs. They have received emergency medical training beyond that of basic lifesaving skills such as CPR.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity anonymously at 1-800-982-4077, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or email at gfndispatch@cbp.dhs.gov.