El Centro Border Patrol agents rescue 7 individuals over Memorial Day weekend
Seven people were rescued by the United States Customs and Border Protection assigned to the El Centro sector over Memorial Day weekend on two separate events for attempting to illegally enter the United States.
Agents say the first rescue happened on early Monday morning when agents received a call from an individual stating a person who had attempted to illegally enter was injured and was in need of help.
The El Centro Sector Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue were notified and located the individual who had injuries in his leg. Agents say the injured individual was part of a group that attempted to illegally enter the U.S.
After evaluation, BORSTAR determined the injured individual was in need of further medical attention and transported the man to a local hospital for treatment, agents say.
According to agents, the group of individuals attempting to cross to the U.S. are all Mexican citizens and were arrested then transported to the El Centro Border Patrol Station for further processing.
On Saturday morning, agents observed six individuals attempting to illegally enter the U.S. through a canal east of downtown Calexico when agents witnessed the group struggling to swim and screamed for help, agents say.
Agents quickly deployed multiple rescue devices in an attempt to pull the individuals to safety but the group was unable to exit the canal. Agents say they immediately entered the canal to rescue all six individuals.
According to agents, they rendered medical attention to the group and determined one of the individuals showed signs of hypothermia. A Calexico paramedic responded to the scene and treated the man for his symptoms and was released with no further medical attention needed, agents say.
The six men, all Mexican citizens, were arrested on suspicion of having to illegally enter the U.S. and transported to the El Centro Border Patrol Station for processing.
