Border Patrol Rescues 10 In Desert

July 5, 2007 06:40 PM EDT

KOLD News 13 News Editor Marissa Pasquet

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents made two rescues and saved a total of 10 individuals on July 4th.

Authorities received calls from two different local 911 dispatches concerning a group of individuals stranded and in distress in the desert.

The first rescue was Wednesday around 12:15 p.m. when officers responded to an emergency call about a group of six individuals in distress near Highway 286 in Tucson, Ariz. The caller stated that two members of the group had passed out and six other individuals had been left behind due to their inability to keep up.

Tucson sector BORSTAR (Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue) agents responded to the call, found the individuals and began providing initial care to the subjects.

Authorities report all individuals suffered from extreme dehydration and two of the individuals required further medical attention. They transported two people to St. Mary's Hospital.

The second rescue happened about 3: 30 p.m. Wednesday when paramedics were dispatched to help a group of possible illegal aliens in distress near White House Canyon Road in Tucson, Ariz. BORSTAR agents were able to locate and provide initial care to the subjects.

According to authorities, the individuals suffered from severe dehydration due to the extreme heat. The individuals were illegal aliens from Mexico and were processed for removal.

According to authorities, since the beginning of the fiscal year, the Tucson Sector has recorded the rescue of 318 people through the end of June.

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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