| CBP Border Patrol rescues 14 people from rooftops
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In April 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents from the Del Rio, Tex., Sector, airlifted 14 Mexican nationals trapped by floodwaters near Piedras Negras, Mexico. The group of Mexican nationals had climbed on top of a roof trying to escape from the torrential rains that flooded the area. Local authorities from the government of Mexico requested the assistance of the CBP Border Patrol after receiving reports of people being in danger from rising water. The initial request came from the Mexican Police who had reports of several of their own officers stranded on rooftops. The CBP Border Patrol deployed two helicopters in the middle of the night to support the effort. The flight crews from Del Rio, Tex., consisted of three pilots of the UH-1 "Huey," Air Operation Patrol Agent-in-Charge Drue Duncan, Randy Cook, and William Leigh. The second flight crew of the "A-Star" were pilots Justin Edmiston and Michael Allen. After four hours of flying from roof to roof, the aircrew had rescued 14 Mexican nationals from the half submerged buildings. Border Patrol also provided assistance to transport the local officials to the area to oversee rescue efforts. | CBP Border Patrol A-Star helicopter
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"U.S. Customs and Border Protection works closely with the government of Mexico on many security and humanitarian issues. This recent incident supports our longstanding and bi-national commitment in the preservation of human life," said Commissioner Robert C. Bonner. "Heroism is a daily fact of life for the men and women who patrol our nation's borders. Once again, our Border Patrol agents have shown uncommon valor in what is, unfortunately, another all too common life and death situation." |
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