Border Patrol agents rescue 3 men from canal

Times staff report
Article Launched: 10/17/2008 03:19:47 PM MDT

EL PASO - Three men attempting to enter the U.S. illegally were rescued from a canal by Border Patrol agents Thursday afternoon, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release.
The three men were trying to elude the agents when they jumped into the canal a mile and half east of the Bridge of the Americas at approximately 3:10 p.m.

Agents found the trio struggling in the turbulent waters of the canal and yelling for help.

Initially, agents were only able to pull one man to safety using water rescue equipment.

The agents continued rescue efforts, following the other two men approximately a mile from where the rescue began, until they were pulled to safety.

The men declined medical attention and were arrested for illegal entry.

Record checks revealed one man identified as Gaspar Avendano Vazquez, 19, had outstanding warrants from Kansas for felony sexual exploitation of a child. Vazquez, of Mexico, is now in police custody pending extradition to Kansas

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