Ocotillo, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents rescued four men lost in the mountains on Friday.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m., when El Centro Sector Dispatch received a call from the Imperial County Sherriff’s Office (ICSO) regarding a 911 call requesting assistance on locating four men lost in the mountains west of Ocotillo. 

The men said that they were tired and without food or water.  They claimed to have been lost for roughly four hours.  ICSO was able to provide GPS coordinates but the phone number they received the call from was reported as not being able to receive calls.  Border Search Trauma and Rescue agents (BORSTAR) were notified and deployed to the coordinates provided. 

At approximately 11:55 p.m., BORSTAR agents located the men with the assistance of a search and rescue canine.  They were given water and after a preliminary assessment they were deemed to have no need for further medical attention. 

“The men and women of the Border Patrol will continue to assist those in need especially during these high temperature months.  We are fortunate the agents found those people and were able to prevent a loss of human life,” said Acting Special Operations Supervisor Miguel Garcia.

The four men, all citizens of Mexico, were transported to the EL Centro Station for further processing.

The El Centro Sector’s Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats.  We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe.  Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at 1-800-901-2003.