C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Agents Rescue 6 Stranded in Arizona Desert

(Wednesday, November 04, 2009)

Yuma, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector responded to a rescue beacon activation Tuesday evening and rescued six people in a desolate area of southwest Arizona.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Station responded to the activation of a rescue beacon located south of the Fortuna Mine, about 25 miles east of Yuma. When agents arrived at the rescue beacon, they encountered six illegal aliens that were dehydrated. The group told agents that they had been stranded in the desert for almost two days without sufficient water before they were apprehended.

Agents offered water to the six individuals, and the group was evaluated a short time later by another Border Patrol agent who is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician. The group was determined to be in stable condition but required advanced medical care. Agents notified Rural Metro and the six subjects were transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Once the six individuals are released from the hospital, they will be transported to the Yuma Station and processed for removal.

The Yuma Sector has more than 50 agents who are trained as EMTs and 24 rescue beacons deployed in the surrounding desert to assist individuals who become ill or lost. Since October 1, 2008, the Yuma Sector has assisted in 61 rescues, 12 of which were from rescue beacon activations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Yuma Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (928) 341-6520

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 042009.xml