U.S. Border Patrol agents assist AZDPS with fatal rollover
TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Ajo Station assisted the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) with a single-vehicle rollover crash on Sunday.
In a press release, AZDPS sent a request for help just before 5:00 a.m. at the offramp of Interstate 8 and Butterfield Road near Gila Bend after a van, carrying 14 people, rolled over and crashed.
The press release says, "Multiple Ajo Station agents from the nearby state Route 85 immigration checkpoint responded," and two emergency medical technicians at the Ajo Station "were the first to arrive" and "immediately provided lifesaving medical care and helped stabilize patients for incoming medical transport."
At the same time, the other agents at the Ajo Station "helped control traffic and establish a safe landing zone for several life flight helicopters," the press release says.
The press release says 10 people were taken by ground ambulance to the hospital while three people were taken by "life flights" to the hospital as well. However, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The men and women of the Border Patrol will do anything in their power to help those in need. We know all too well that every second counts. The quick actions our agents take every day can be the difference maker in life-or-death situations," said Chief Sean McGoffin of the Tucson Sector.
According to AZDPS, "No law enforcement officers were in the area of the accident when it occurred, nor was the vehicle being pursued by law enforcement."
