High Temperatures Lead to Increased Rescues by the Border Patrol in Arizona

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Tucson, Ariz. — Within the past four days, Border Patrol agents assigned to Tucson Sector rescued over 70 individuals from the high temperatures and rugged terrain of Southern Arizona.

The largest of the rescues took place on Sunday afternoon. Agents from the Ajo Station responded to a citizen’s report of possible illegal aliens waiving down traffic on State Route 85. As agents arrived on scene it was apparent that all 17 individuals were severely dehydrated and in need of immediate medical attention.

Emergency medical personnel were contacted and all 17 individuals, ranging in age from 8 - 34, were transported to local hospitals. Four individuals needed to be air lifted due to the severity of their dehydration and exposure.

Yesterday evening, agents from the Casa Grande Station encountered a male subject in need of medical assistance near Sells, Ariz. The man was suffering from dehydration. EMS was notified and provided further medical treatment to the subject.

Also yesterday evening, agents from the Sonoita Station encountered a severely dehydrated woman west of Copper Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. The woman’s medical situation went from bad to worse, as she passed out and remained unconscious. Agents contacted EMS and an air ambulance to respond to the scene, but due to the location and rugged terrain neither could assist. A CBP Air and Marine helicopter responded and deployed a BORSTAR agent nearby and with the help of another agent they stabilized the woman and carried her down the mountain to a waiting ambulance.

From October 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol has rescued over 190 individuals from life or death situations. These rescues have attributed to a 16 percent decrease in the number of deceased individual found in the desert.