U.S. Border Patrol rescues four subjects

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellton Station rescued four illegal aliens on Sunday who were suffering from exposure to the elements.

"They were complaining of nausea and dizziness and other symptoms related to heat exhaustion," said agent Alicia Lizama, spokesperson for the Yuma Sector.

Lizama said at about 1 a.m. early Sunday morning, a rescue beacon located approximately 30 miles southeast of Wellton was activated and an agent immediately responded to the area and located one individual.

An agent who has been trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) also responded to the location and provided medical care to the subject.

The agents later transported the illegal alien to the Wellton Border Patrol Station. 

At approximately 3:50 a.m., Lizama said the same rescue beacon was activated and agents encountered three more subjects. 

Those subjects, she said, were treated for minor issues but were in good health and did not require emergency medical services. 

All four undocumented aliens admitted to crossing the United States/Mexico border together, but became separated shortly after crossing.

The summer months in the Arizona desert can register a significant amount of heat-related deaths, leading to a strong possibility for a rising number of migrant deaths. As a result, according to Lizama, the Border Patrol has stepped up its search and rescue efforts to prevent heat-related deaths along the border.

"Even though illegal trafficking isn't common this time of year, is does happen, and that is why we take these type of precautions," Lizama said.

With the continued trend of high temperatures, the Border Patrol’s Search Trauma and Rescue team (BORSTAR) has been working non-stop focusing on the western portion of the Sonoran desert. 

Additionally, the Yuma Sector has 52 agents who are trained EMT’s and 24 rescue beacons deployed in the Wellton Desert to assist migrants who have become ill or lost. In fiscal year 2009, the Yuma Sector has to date assisted in 37 rescues.