SAN DIEGO —
Three people died on a mountain and two others were taken into custody Monday when a group crossed into the United States illegally near La Posta Indian Reservation, according to San Diego Sector Border Patrol.
Agents were dispatched to the scene around 2:15 p.m. after they were notified about the group who called 911 in need of medical attention.
Agents responded to the rural area in the vicinity of the Laguna Mountains and encountered two of the people who walked out of the area on their own. They told agents three others were in need of rescue. Border Patrol said the group was traveling by foot in the remote area of East County San Diego and had entered the country illegally.
Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue agents were then dispatched to the area to assist and an Air and Marine Operations helicopter also responded. The helicopter team was able to locate the remaining members of the group just after 5 p.m.
Rescue efforts were unsuccessful for the three remaining individuals on the mountain. The three individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Border Patrol, due to severe weather recovery of the bodies will have to wait until Tuesday morning if weather allows.
Agents and CalFire, who also responded to the scene, will return to the location Tuesday morning to try and retrieve the three bodies.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that only two people were in grave condition. Border Patrol later corrected the information telling News 8 that it was three people.
