BP agents rescue six stranded in desert

A rescue beacon Tuesday night led Yuma sector Border Patrol agents to the rescue of six illegal aliens who had become stranded in a remote area of the desert east of Yuma.

"They had crossed the border illegally and didn't have enough food and water to continue any further," said agent Shaun Kuzia, a spokesman for the Yuma Sector. "Dehydrated and weak, they came across one of our beacons and used it to call for help."

Kuzia said when agents arrived at the beacon, which is located south of Fortuna Mine, about 25 miles east of Yuma, they found the group, who also told the agents they had been stranded for almost two days.

Agents offered water to the six individuals, Kuzia said, and the group was evaluated by another Border Patrol agent who is certified as an emergency medical technician (EMT) when he showed up on the scene a short time later.

Kuzia said the group was determined to be in stable condition but still required advanced medical care. Agents, he said, then notified Rural/Metro and all six subjects were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center.

"Four of the six have been released back into our custody," Kuzia said. "Two are still in the hospital."

The four who were released from the hospital, Kuzia said, have been transported  to the Yuma Station and processed for removal.

According to Kuzia, the Yuma Sector has more than 50 agents who are trained as EMTs and 24 rescue beacons deployed in the surrounding desert to assist individuals who become ill or lost.

Since October 1, 2008, the Yuma Sector has assisted in 61 rescues, 12 of which were from rescue beacon activations.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.