FALURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents saved the lives of four people Monday afternoon, who were lost in the rugged ranchlands of South Texas.
The individuals were rescued by the Rio Grande Valley Sector’s Border Patrol Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) team on a ranch in the Falfurrias area. The group was rescued after they called 9-1-1. The Starr County Sheriff’s Office relayed the information to agents, who rapidly responded to the area along with a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety. BORSTAR agents quickly located the individuals and provided medical care. A 27-year-old woman collapsed while walking and was resuscitated on scene by a BORSTAR paramedic and treated with intravenous and electrolyte fluids. Due to her condition, the woman was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The BORSTAR paramedic continued to provide treatment as the woman was transported to the hospital. The three remaining individuals were assessed with moderate dehydration and provided with water. The group told agents they had been lost in the brush for four days with no food or water.
Recently, additional manpower has been temporarily assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector from other Border Patrol sectors, to include a cadre of approximately 20 BORSTAR agents. These BORSTAR agents are now working in the RGV Sector area of responsibility responding to numerous calls for assistance from immigrants in distressed situations.
