Winterhaven, Calif. — Arizona-based U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, from the Yuma Sector Border Patrol and the Office of Air and Marine, rendered urgent assistance to three people involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident at the Imperial Sand Dunes yesterday morning.
Border Patrol agents on patrol encountered the accident scene at approximately 11 a.m., which involved three ATVs, an adult male and two teenagers – male and female. Agents immediately rendered aid and determined the teens had arm and hand injuries. The adult male, however, appeared to be in shock with a possible broken pelvis.
Border Patrol agents requested air support from OAM, which dispatched an EC120B Light Enforcement Helicopter to the scene with two Rural Metro paramedics picked up earlier near the Grays Well Campgrounds. To overcome communication challenges caused by rugged terrain, the OAM helicopter was also used as a communication platform between agents on the ground and civilian EMTs.
Border Patrol agents had stabilized the accident victims by the time paramedics arrived. The male teen and paramedics were then flown to the campground where ambulances were waiting. The female teen was able to ride out on her ATV to the ambulance. Soon after, the two teens were transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
A Care Flight helicopter was also dispatched and guided to the accident scene by the OAM helicopter crew. The adult male was then loaded into the Care Flight helicopter and taken to a hospital in Palm Springs.