A male Mexican national who illegally entered the U.S. recently provided multiple government agencies with an opportunity to work together on a single mission…saving the man’s life.
The Tucson Sector Border Patrol including the Border Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team, the Office of Air and Marine’s Tucson Air Branch, and an Arizona National Guard Task Force Raven aircrew combined their skills to rescue the man who had fallen in the Baboquivari mountains on May 7.
After entering the U.S. illegally, the unidentified man called 911 after sustaining multiple injuries in a fall. At approximately 8 p.m., Border Patrol agents started searching an area near Sasabe, Arizona. A short time later, the ANG Task Force Raven aircrew located the man and called for more support.
Agents on the ground made contact with the victim and noticed he had several lacerations on his head and injuries to his back and legs. Agents then called in the BORSTAR team to request additional assistance. BORSTAR advised the agents, however, that a nighttime evacuation would be too dangerous and they would have to wait until morning.
At approximately 4 a.m., BORSTAR agents arrived on scene, assessed the man’s injuries, and requested air support.
Office of Air and Marine agents extracted the man via the UH-60 (Blackhawk) helicopter equipped with a rescue hoist and delivered him to awaiting Emergency Medical Services personnel for further evaluation and transport to a local hospital. (link to video)
Following a medical evaluation, agents processed the subject for removal in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.
Office of Border Patrol and Office of Air and Marine agents frequently shift from law enforcement to rescue mode. Local, state, federal and tribal agencies working together greatly improves the chances of survival for individuals finding themselves in dire situations.
CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.