BORSTAR Agents Rescue Man Lost in Remote Wilderness

DULZURA, Calif. — Members of U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) San Diego Sector’s (SDC) Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) team rescued a Mexican citizen yesterday who was lost in East County San Diego and suffering from a heat emergency.

At approximately 11:45 a.m., Government of Mexico officials alerted SDC’s Foreign Operations Branch (FOB) regarding a man who had entered the United States illegally and was lost in a remote area on Otay Mountain.

FOB agents notified SDC’s BORSTAR team and through global positioning, located the 42-year-old man in a remote canyon.  During their initial assessment, the man claimed to be of sound health, but as agents attempted to escort him out of the canyon, he became disoriented and began to exhibit symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion.  BORSTAR agents applied cooling methods and administered intravenous fluids, but the man’s condition did not improve.

The agents requested air assets, and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL-FIRE) – San Diego Unit both responded and hoisted the man off the mountain to a waiting ambulance, which transferred the man to a nearby hospital for treatment. Once medically cleared, he will be returned to Mexico.

“Collaboration is absolutely paramount when conducting rescues in these austere environments,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke.  “I am proud of our agents and our partners for their life-saving efforts.”

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.