EAGLE PASS, TX — Those rescued included a man and his two young daughters from El Salvador.
Border Patrol Agents said they saw four people trying to cross the river from Mexico but one of them, who is believed to be a guide or smuggler, ran back toward Mexico leaving the man and little girls stranded.
“This rescue serves as reminder of the dangers faced by those who attempt to illegally cross the border,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Felix Chavez. “If not for the vigilance of our Texas National Guard partners and the quick response by our Border Patrol agents, this incident could have ended tragically with the loss of life of two small children and their father.”
The young children were left stranded on an inner tube in the middle of the swift-running river that was quickly carrying them downstream away from the safety of the riverbank. Border Patrol Agents saw the girls’ father being swept away by the current then found him clinging to debris trying to keep his head above water.
The family was rescued and brought ashore where they did not require any medical attention or request it. The family was then taken to the Eagle Pass South Station and processed according to Customs and Border Protection guidelines.