Stranded pregnant woman rescued from Horseshoe Canyon

Apache, AZ- Agents from Lordsburg helped save the life of a Salvadoran migrant stranded in Horseshoe Canyon near Apache, Arizona.

The ordeal began on Friday when the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station was notified about a subject in distress north of Douglas, Arizona. The information was provided by an El Salvadoran migrant who stated that he and his wife were abandoned by a "coyote" in the desert near Apache, Arizona the day prior when they could not keep up with the other smuggled members of the group. The man said he was forced to leave his pregnant wife in the hills somewhere between Horseshoe Canyon and Jackwood Canyon.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. agents performing the ancient art of "sign-cutting" discovered a female subject matching the description of the woman in Horseshoe Canyon. The agents requested that a "Lifenet Air Medical Team" be activated since the woman required further medical attention.

Forty-five minutes later, a Lifenet helicopter arrived on the scene. Due to the rough terrain, they were unable to land near the injured woman, so agents created a makeshift gurney out of yucca, jackets, daypacks, belts and shoelaces to carry her to the awaiting aircraft. They transported her approximately 1.5 miles through rough terrain. Lifenet loaded the woman and transported her to Tucson Medical Center, where she is being treated for exposure and dehydration.

There is little biographical information on the 24-year old woman from El Salvador at the present time since her medical condition was of primary concern. Once her medical condition is stabilized, a report will be generated.

These types of actions are indicative of the commitment by U.S. Border Patrol Agents to secure America's borders while maintaining a strong sense of humanitarianism for persons in distress in the communities that they serve.