see also: in September 2008:   Ramey Border Patrol Sector Sponsors Intelligence Training   CBP Arrests Woman at California Port after Discovering 3 Hidden Females   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Lost Alien   Customs and Border Protection Warns Floral Importers About Unripe Poppy Pods   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failing to Register as Sex Offender   El Paso CBP Officers Discover 3,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Shipment of Watermelons   CBP Seizes More Than $360,000 in Undeclared Currency ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Baton Rouge, La. - A convoy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel traveling from Houston to Baton Rouge to provide Hurricane Gustav law enforcement support encountered a serious multi-vehicle traffic accident on I-10 just east of Lafayette, La., on Thursday at 6 p.m. Medically trained CBP officers provided immediate first aid and then stabilized several critically injured motorists. The CBP officers stayed with the stricken travelers for more than 30 minutes while awaiting state police and EMT arrival to the accident scene.

The convoy of 17 CBP vehicles transporting 35 Border Patrol agents and CBP officers included a Border Patrol medic and a certified EMT CBP officer. The officers administered first aid to an adult male resident of Hammond, La., who suffered a broken right leg and head injuries in the accident. A Border Patrol medic applied a brace to his leg and bandages to stop head bleeding and cared for the individual until emergency personnel arrived.

A female adult in a second vehicle from Bogalusa, La., sustained major chest and neck injuries. A CBP EMT officer obtained vital signs and conversed with individual to prevent her from going into shock. CBP officers then moved the victim to a CBP vehicle in order to prevent further injury and to get her out of the rain. Her two young children were visibly upset and crying after witnessing their mother in her condition. CBP officers comforted the children.

While several members of the CBP convoy tended to the accident victims, other CBP law enforcement personnel monitored and directed traffic. A CBP team leader maintained command and control of entire situation until state emergency personnel arrived on scene. CBP personnel also assisted with moving disabled vehicles off the interstate.

A total of 265 CBP personnel have been deployed to support the federal response to Hurricane Gustav. Their duties include force protection for urban search and rescue teams, law enforcement security support to the Louisiana State University campus, and general law enforcement support to several Louisiana Parishes.

CBP has and continues to provide significant air support in the impacted area as well. CBP aircraft have flown in excess of 100 hours of missions which include airborne imagery and reconnaissance/surveillance. They have also provided law enforcement and supplies transport services in the impact area.

CBP has deployed assets from numerous locations around he country to support the hurricane Gustav relief efforts. CBP has also mobilized teams in advance of the arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna on the eastern coast.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.