TUCSON – On Saturday, U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued a 66-year-old woman from a burning vehicle after it had rolled over in an accident on Interstate 19.
The U.S. Border Patrol agents were the first to arrive at the scene just north of the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Arivaca shortly before noon.
The woman lost control of her SUV in the southbound lanes of I-19 about a quarter mile north of the checkpoint, rolling her vehicle several times. The SUV landed on its passenger side and caught on fire.
Tucson Sector agents working the checkpoint immediately responded. They freed the woman, the SUV’s sole occupant, and moved her a safe distance away to the median of the interstate. Moments later, there was a large explosion, and flames engulfed the SUV.
Agents administered emergency first aid to the victim until Tubac Fire district Emergency Medical Technicians arrived to continue treatment.
The Tubac Fire District extinguished the vehicle fire as well as the ensuing brush fire strong winds had blown 200 yards north along the interstate.