Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Emergency Phone Call Leads To Double Rescue


Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents rescued four individuals after an injured hiker made an emergency phone call.

Yesterday afternoon two U.S. citizens became stranded in the mountains after one fell and sustained head and back injuries. The hikers were near Baboquivari Peak, approximately 35 miles southwest of Green Valley, when they used a cell phone to call for help. Border Patrol agents working on the search, trauma and rescue team – known as BORSTAR – were immediately dispatched on a CBP Air and Marine Blackhawk helicopter. Due to the rough terrain, responding agents requested a Department of Public Safety helicopter with hoist capabilities to assist in the extraction of the injured hiker. Following the rescue, the hiker was flown to Tucson for further treatment.

After the initial rescue, agents regrouped to launch a new search for more individuals reportedly lost in the same mountain range. Agents assigned to the Casa Grande Station and BORSTAR as well as multiple helicopters, to include Life Flight and DPS, assisted in the search. Two individuals from El Salvador were located and immediately given medical treatment by Border Patrol emergency medical technicians for heat exhaustion. One individual was transported to Tucson for further evaluation.

The Border Patrol is committed to saving lives. Tucson Sector has more than 200 Border Patrol agents trained as EMTs capable of rendering aid to anyone in distress.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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