California Border RESCUE—Injured Pregnant Woman and Friend SAVED From Wilderness!
Two women trapped in the Otay Mountain Wilderness during a bitter cold front were saved in harrowing multi-agency operation. 🌐 #News #SanDiegoCA #California #Rescue
SAN DIEGO, CA — Two women, including one reportedly pregnant, were rescued by U.S. Border Patrol agents after becoming stranded and injured in the remote Otay Mountain Wilderness east of San Diego, California.
Late-Night Call Sparks Urgent Search
The incident began shortly after midnight Friday when Mexican officials alerted the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station. The two Mexican nationals had crossed into the U.S. illegally and found themselves lost, injured, and without food or water. Both women had reportedly sustained ankle injuries, and were unable to walk.
Agents located the pair roughly six miles from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, deep within a canyon. Due to low visibility, thick fog, and worsening weather conditions, immediate evacuation by air was impossible. The specialized Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) team arrived to assist, constructing a temporary shelter to shield the women from the freezing temperatures overnight.
Helicopter Extraction at Daybreak
By morning, weather conditions improved enough for air support to arrive. In coordination with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, a helicopter team successfully extracted the injured migrants. The women were flown to a local fire station where they received medical assessments. After treatment, they were transported to a nearby Border Patrol facility for further processing and eventual removal from the U.S.
Life-Threatening Terrain and Freezing Temperatures
This rescue unfolded amid a regional cold front that drove temperatures in the mountains near freezing. U.S. Border Patrol officials reiterated the extreme risks migrants face when attempting to cross the border illegally—risks that include injury, starvation, dehydration, heat stroke, and hypothermia.
Border officials also renewed their focus on deterring unlawful entry into the country, emphasizing the dangers of the rugged terrain along with the agency’s continued vigilance in tracking and responding to suspicious activity in border regions.
Did You Know?
- Hypothermia can set in when body temperature drops below 95°F, and even mild symptoms can become fatal in just a few hours if not treated (Mayo Clinic).
- Otay Mountain Wilderness spans over 16,000 acres and includes rugged terrain that has long been a high-risk corridor for illegal crossings (U.S. Forest Service).
- The BORSTAR unit was created in 1998 specifically to handle emergency rescues in remote and dangerous environments along the U.S. border (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
Moment for Reflection
Even in places of division and danger, compassion finds a way through. The efforts of those who extend help—regardless of circumstance—speak to a deeper truth: that every life holds value, and mercy can flourish even in the most difficult terrain. Let us continue to be people who act with courage and grace, recognizing that kindness, like light, reaches farthest in the darkest valleys.
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RELATED TOPICS: Accidents and Rescues | California | Mexico
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