Heroic Rescue: Mexican Man Saved After Shattering Leg in Border Wall Plunge by Arivaca Firefighters

In a dramatic rescue operation, members of the Arivaca Volunteer Fire Department evacuated a seriously injured 60-year-old man who had fallen from the border wall on Wednesday evening. The man, reportedly from Mexico, remained stranded in the desert near Sasabe for several hours before firefighters managed to reach him by cutting through a welded-shut gate.

The injured man was first spotted by humanitarian aid workers around 12:30 PM Wednesday but was unable to be rescued until late that night due to his location being on the Mexican side of the border. Officials from the U.S. notified their Mexican counterparts about the incident; however, Mexican authorities reported they could not assist until the following morning. U.S. Border Patrol agents did not intervene, as the victim was technically beyond the wall.

Initial reports indicate that the man had attempted to cross the 30-foot-high “bollard wall.” Unfortunately, he fell and blacked out for hours before dragging himself under a mesquite tree. Volunteers from Tucson Samaritans were conducting a search for migrants when they discovered him and provided food and water, helping him move closer to the wall where he could communicate his need for assistance.

Gail Kocourek, a dedicated volunteer with Tucson Samaritans, recounted the scene as she and fellow volunteers worked to help the injured man. He suffered a severe leg injury, with his tibia protruding through the skin. After receiving the emergency call, Arivaca Fire Department arrived and administered intravenous fluids, providing critical care before transporting him to a hospital in Tucson for necessary surgical intervention.

The situation underscores the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross into the United States. Over the past year, Sasabe has become a frequent crossing point for individuals fleeing violence and hardship in their home countries. The area has seen an influx of migrants from diverse backgrounds, including those fleeing persecution based on their faith, as is the case for some Sikhs from India who have recently sought refuge in the U.S.

This incident highlights the complexities of border authority, humanitarian aid, and the perils associated with trying to traverse such dangerous terrain. In this case, the man’s injury and subsequent rescue have drawn attention to the ongoing border crisis and the increasing number of individuals placing their lives at risk in pursuit of safety and opportunity.