Eagle Pass Border Patrol Agents Rescue Man From Drowning in Rio Grande

DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents working with the Border Patrol Marine unit in Eagle Pass, rescued a Mexican national drowning in the Rio Grande River.

“The Rio Grande River is dangerous and unpredictable making the journey through it unforgiving and resulting in many deaths,” said Del Rio Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “The men and women of the United States Border work diligently in preventing the loss of life.”

On Sep. 14, at approximately 10 a.m., agents from the Eagle Pass South Station, conducting boat patrol operations along the Rio Grande River, rescued a Mexican national from drowning. The subject was observed by Marine Unit agents struggling in the middle of the river, unable to make his way to either side of the river. The Border Patrol Marine Unit agents quickly tossed a rescue line to the subject, who then grabbed onto it and was pulled onto the boat to safety.

The 20-year-old Mexican man stated he had been stuck in the middle of the river for approximately four hours unable to swim to either riverbank due to the strong currents. He was offered medical treatment but declined and was then transported to the Eagle Pass South Station for processing, per CBP guidelines.

The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity call the Del Rio Sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.

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.