LEWISTON, N.Y. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Niagara Falls Station, rescued an injured and hypothermic man along the lower Niagara River this morning.
“The lifesaving rescue of this young man was the direct result of a quick response and a joint law enforcement effort,” said Patrol Agent in Charge Brady Waikel of the Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station. “Protecting this nation and its citizens is what we do every day.”
Today, at approximately 6:35 A.M., agents received a citizen report of a male exiting the lower Niagara River near Lewiston. The reporting party stated that the man appeared to be injured, wet, shivering and had approached the Lewiston boat launch area. A Border Patrol Marine Unit and land patrol agents responded to the scene along with the U.S. Coast Guard, town of Lewiston Police and New York State Park Police.
A search of the area resulted in the discovery of an abandoned vehicle that appeared to have struck a fire hydrant near the boat launch. Agents then received an additional report of a male subject yelling for help along the riverbank in the village of Lewiston, near Artpark. Agents and officers quickly responded and located the man along the riverbank. The male subject was incoherent, hypothermic and unable to walk due to leg injuries. Agents then transferred the male subject to their marine vessel, transported him to the Lewiston boat launch and turned him over to Lewiston Police and Emergency Medical Services. Further Border Patrol investigation revealed that the male subject was a U.S. citizen.
“This rescue reinforces the great working relationship the Lewiston Police Department has with our law enforcement partners,” said Chief of Police Frank Previte of the Lewiston Police Department.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-800-331-0353 toll free.
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