SAN DIEGO — United States Border Patrol agents rescued two people but were unable to save three migrants near the Cuyapaipe Indian Reservation on Monday.
Border Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team along with Air and Marine Operations helicopter found the group shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday. Two of the women were found unresponsive with no signs of life. BORSTAR agents quickly triaged them both and attempted to resuscitate the two, to no avail. The third woman was in and out of consciousness, prompting agents to start life-saving measures.
Due to inclement weather on Monday night, all rescue efforts were unsuccessful and lifesaving attempts were called off. The three females succumbed to their injuries. Weather conditions did not permit any successful hoist attempts and all other viable extraction options were not possible.
If weather permits on Tuesday, agents will attempt to remove the bodies of the three deceased women via helicopter. The two Mexican males, ages 22 and 37-years-old were arrested for illegal entry and taken to a nearby station for processing and evaluation. The three deceased females will be turned over to the Coroner’s Office, once they are recovered.
“This incident that resulted in the tragic loss of lives was totally avoidable,” stated San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “We have said it many times, do not place your life or the lives of your loved ones in the hands of ruthless smugglers.” Chief Heitke continued, “I am proud of the heroic efforts that these agents and our partners made to locate and provide aid to those in need. Our agents also put their own lives at risk traversing the dangerous routes that these criminal organizations smuggle people through in an attempt to avoid apprehension.”
