Illegal Immigrants Rescued From Turbulent Waters Near PDN Bridge (KFOX-TX)

Illegal Immigrants Rescued From Turbulent Waters Near PDN Bridge
Posted: 5:23 pm MDT July 27, 2010

Border Patrol agents jumped into action for two separate water rescues.

The first happened Monday afternoon near the Paso Del Norte Bridge.

Authorities said two people making an illegal entry jumped into the canal around 2 p.m. in hopes of fleeing Border Patrol.

Both jumped into the canal about half a mile east of the Paso Del Norte Bridge. Agents found one of the individuals struggling with the turbulent waters, unable to climb out and yelling for help. Authorities were able to rescue them from the canal. Several minutes later and nearly half a mile from where the rescue attempts began, the agents were pulled out the second individual out of the water.

A separate incident happened again Tuesday around 2 a.m. in the same area.

The El Paso Fire Department was called in to assist.

Authorities rescued 46-year-old Juan Chavez-Alvarez of Mexico. He refused medical help and was arrested for illegal entry, said Border Patrol officials. Record indicated he was a convicted aggravated felon.