Border Patrol Rescues Injured Hiker in West Texas

EL PASO, TX – El Paso U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations (AMO) El Paso Air Branch helicopter pilots assisted an El Paso Fire Department (EPFD) Search and Rescue Team in rescuing an injured hiker Sunday afternoon in McKelligon Canyon, which is part of the Franklin Mountains.

The rescued victim, a 48-year old woman, had been hiking in the canyon when she injured her left knee. Unable to walk, she called 911 for help and was connected with El Paso Fire Department. El Paso Fire Department then contacted AMO at 2:20 p.m. through the U.S. Border Patrol Command Center and El Paso AMO Branch tasked a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to help airlift the injured hiker out of the canyon.

At approximately 3:25 p.m., the AMO UH-60 helicopter touched town on the ridgeline west of the canyon summit and the search and rescue team loaded the patient and a paramedic from the rescue team on to the helicopter. At 3:35 p.m. the helicopter touched down at W.H. Beaumont Army Hospital Helicopter Pad and the patient was transferred to an awaiting EPFD Rescue 16 Ambulance. 

“Customs and Border Protection Air Marine Operations Branch was glad to assist the search and rescue team from El Paso Fire Department in helping this injured woman,” said John Stonehouse, Director, Air and Marine Operations El Paso Branch. “AMO serves the people of the United States by safeguarding our borders. We also often participate in life saving rescue missions as part of our day-to-day operations and Sunday was no exception to that mission.”