Thread: TX: Border crossings prompting rescues

Border crossings prompting rescues

Lynn Brezosky
July 20, 2010

BROWNSVILLE — Post-hurricane releases from Rio Grande dams have swelled the normally narrow river more than a mile wide, but that hasn't stopped some people from trying to cross into the United States illegally in rudimentary boats and inner tubes.
City of Mission Fire Chief Ricardo Saldaña on Monday said his department in the past nine days has rescued 15 people from Mexico and Central America after hearing shouts for aid or receiving 911 calls.

The immigrants have been found clinging to whatever trees or debris entrapped them as currents swept them downstream. Border Patrol and Texas Task Force teams have assisted with boats, helicopters and swift-water rescue swimmers.

Saldaña said the first rescue occurred July 10 when five people tried to brave the river on a small boat with a broken motor. The boat was useless against the current.

Seven more were rescued late Tuesday in the Palmview area after someone put in a frantic call to 911.

Texas Department of Public Safety and U.S. Border Patrol helicopters helped carry the group of four men, one woman and the woman's two teenage children out of the water.

Three more men were rescued Sunday after they, too, became trapped in debris.

None of the rescued was seriously injured, and all were turned over to federal authorities for deportation proceedings.

Border Patrol spokesman Jose Treviño said that area of the river is known to be a favorite for attempted crossings, perhaps because smuggling routes lead there from the Mexican side.

The agency each year reports both rescues and drownings of migrants who found themselves unprepared for the currents below the river's placid surface.

www.mysanantonio.com

how dumb does someone have to be to know the river is a mile wide and that the currents MIGHT make it tough to attempt to cross over?