Border patrol saves illegal immigrant from drowning (Yuma Sun)

Border patrol saves illegal immigrant from drowning

September 22, 2008 - 3:11PM
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Yuma Station rescued a man early Friday morning after he began to drown in the Sanchez Canal.

Just before midnight agents working west of the San Luis, Ariz., Port of Entry observed three subjects illegally cross the international boundary.

"They jumped across the canal and started running," said agent Laura Boston, spokesperson for the Yuma sector. "It is a good size canal but not too wide. If you had a good running start you can clear it."

The Sanchez Canal is located west of the Port of Entry in San Luis, Ariz., and along the newly-built border fence.

As agents approached the subjects, they turned around and started running in an attempt to return to Mexico. Two subjects were successful; the third subject fell into the canal.

"He fell in the water and started showing signs of distress," Boston said.

An agent immediately jumped into the canal and was able to free the subject from some mud that he had become stuck in.

A second agent threw them a Res-Q Disc and pulled the agent and subject to safety. The subject was examined by a certified EMT Border Patrol agent and no injuries were discovered.

The subject, a citizen of Mexico, was taken into custody and transported to the Yuma Border Patrol Station where he was processed for removal.