Border Patrol Agents Save Fleeing Man From Heat Related Injury

(Press Release) DEL RIO, Texas – Agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector Border Patrol Tactical Unit provided emergency medical care to an undocumented immigrant who had become unconscious after fleeing from agents in the extreme heat.

“Crossing the border illegally is an exhausting journey that comes with inherent risks,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez.  “That is intensified by this continued extreme heat.  Thanks to the right equipment and resources, our agents are better equipped to render emergency aid to those who are determined to make these dangerous treks to the U.S.,” he added.

In this most recent case on July 19, agents from the Del Rio Sector Special Operations Detachment encountered multiple individuals on a remote ranch south of Eagle Pass.  Agents were tracking a large group of suspected aliens when they came upon the group.  Two subjects were immediately apprehended, but the rest fled into surrounding brush.  Over the next six hours, agents continued following the rest of the group, even with temperatures hitting as high as 104-degrees.  With the help of a service canine and helicopters from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine, agents apprehended an additional four subjects, one of whom was unconscious and suffering from an apparent heat-related emergency.

The man, later identified as a 19-year-old Guatemalan National, had to be carried out of the brush.  Agents got him to a highway where an Emergency Medical Technician attached to the Tactical Unit provided life-saving care.  After the agent’s assistance, he was sent over to the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Once treated, the Guatemalan National was released from the hospital and returned to the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Station for processing, pursuant to CBP guidelines.

In fiscal year 2018, there have been 17 reported deaths in the Del Rio Sector area of operations, which represents a 70-percent increase from the previous fiscal year.  Across all Border Patrol sectors, heat-related incidents account for the majority of reported deaths, and are up 46-percent from last year.

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.