A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter crew conducted an aerial rescue of a seriously injured hiker who fell in Franklin Mountains State Park, located just north of El Paso. The crew hoisted the hiker from the rugged terrain and flew him to a trauma center for medical care.
The 21-year-old man tumbled about 150 feet down the Mammoth Rock Trail on February 19, suffering major injuries, including an apparent open knee fracture that left him unable to move, according to a CBP statement.
El Paso police and fire department rescuers, part of a combined search-and-rescue team known as COMSAR, were already on site delivering emergency aid when they contacted CBP’s Air and Marine Operations branch around 9:45 a.m. that day. With the challenging terrain making a ground evacuation impractical, they sought help for an airlift.
The agency’s El Paso air unit dispatched a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Once overhead, the crew coordinated with rescuers below and performed a steady hover to lower a hoist line 250 feet, lifting the hiker and supporting COMSAR members to safety.
Citing the extent of the injuries and challenging conditions, the aircrew rushed them directly to a Level I trauma center for specialized treatment.
“Air and Marine Operations, an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is proud to partner with local agencies, offering critical aviation resources in emergency situations,” the organization said in a news release.
