YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assisted with multiple distress calls over the weekend involving individuals lost in the desert.
The first incident occurred on Friday evening, when Wellton Station agents received notification that an illegal alien in distress made an emergency phone call to Mexican authorities claiming to be lost. The Mexican authorities relayed the information to the U.S. Border Patrol. Agents from the Yuma Sector Border Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) specialty unit successfully contacted the individual before relaying the information to agents in the field who located the man. A Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) evaluated the subject and medically cleared him for travel. The subject was processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Saturday afternoon, a Yuma Sector agent apprehended an adult male from Mexico who had illegally crossed into the United States through a remote section of the desert. Upon initial contact, the agent determined the subject was dehydrated and in need of medical care. A Border Patrol EMT was called to the scene and administered several bags of intravenous fluids. The EMT was unable to bring the subject’s blood pressure to normal, leading to have the subject transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center. Following further medical treatment, the subject was released from the hospital and processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Sunday afternoon, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) requested assistance locating two U.S. citizens in distress near Palo Verde, California. Yuma Sector agents from Blythe Station located a 55-year-old male subject who required immediate medical care and air evacuation. Agents continued tracking the footprints of the other subject, a 45-year-old female, who was found to be extremely dehydrated. Both subjects were treated at a nearby hospital for overexposure and dehydration.
Sunday night, the ICSO requested Border Patrol assistance locating a 17-year-old runaway teen. ICSO reported that the juvenile walked away from his friend’s vehicle in the direction of the Quechan Casino. Border Patrol Agents assigned to near Andrade located the juvenile approximately a half mile east of Andrade Road on Interstate 8. The juvenile was a United States citizen from El Centro, California. The juvenile was turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office.
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.