YUMA – On Wednesday morning, Yuma Sector Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations personnel located and rescued a 77-year-old Gregory Manary in the Kofa Mountains in response to a request for assistance from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) requested assistance from the Yuma Sector Border Patrol to help locate a possible missing person at approximately 8:00 a.m.
Mr. Manary, from Yuma, was last been seen on January 11, 2020 at approximately 1:00 p.m., by a friend. Mr. Manary had departed his residence to meet with another friend at a campsite, but never arrived. Several attempts to contact Mr. Manary on his cellphone were unsuccessful.
A Yuma Air Branch pilot and a Border Patrol Tactical Unit agent flew the along the route Mr. Manary might have taken and eventually found him and and his vehicle stuck in a wash on January 15, at approximately 2:12 p.m. He was found dehydrated and suffering minor injuries. Mr. Manary stated he became lost while travelling to the campsite when he became stuck in the wash.
“Having the Air and Marine Operations—Yuma Air Branch nearby and able to collaborate with our agents in locating individuals in distress is absolutely vital to ensuring lifesaving aid reaches those in need as quickly as possible,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony J. Porvaznik in a press release. “This cohesive partnership with our CBP Air and Marine Operations agents forms a seamless barrier of defense for our citizens and communities.”