KVOA (April 14, 2025) by Zachary Johnson

Over the weekend, U.S. Border Patrol agents successfully rescued two U.S. citizens stranded in the remote deserts of Southern Arizona.

On Saturday, Tucson Sector BORSTAR agents, alongside the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a hiker near the Superstition Mountains who reported a potentially broken ankle.

A rescue team aboard Pinal Air 1 located the injured hiker. Due to the challenging terrain, a BORSTAR agent had to be lowered to assess the situation. The hiker was then safely hoisted to a secure landing zone for further evaluation.

In a separate incident on Sunday, agents from the Sonoita Border Patrol Station assisted the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office with a lost and injured hiker on the Arizona Trail near Pauline Ridge.

A helicopter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection located the hiker, but dense foliage required a ground rescue. The hiker, lost for two days, received immediate medical attention and was transported to the Sonoita-Elgin Fire Department for further care.

“I am incredibly proud of our agents’ swift and professional response to these incidents,” said Sean L. McGoffin, Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent. “These rescues are a testament to their training, teamwork and unwavering commitment to public safety.”

Tucson Sector agents continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of those in distress, especially in challenging conditions.

 

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