DEMING – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Black Hawk crew recently carried out an aerial rescue in Franklin Mountains State Park after a hiker suffered serious injuries in rugged terrain.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, the El Paso Air Branch responded February 19 to an urgent request for aviation assistance from the El Paso Police and Fire Department Combined Search and Rescue team.
Rescue personnel advised that a 21-year-old male hiker had fallen approximately 150 feet from the Mammoth Rock Trail around 9:45 a.m., sustaining significant injuries, including an apparent open fracture to one knee. The patient was reported to be non-mobile.
Because of the steep and remote terrain, officials determined that a ground evacuation was not feasible within a safe or reasonable timeframe. Search and rescue personnel were already on scene providing emergency medical care and requested aerial extraction.
The El Paso Air Branch launched a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to assist. Upon arrival, the aircrew established communication with ground teams and executed a precision hover over the mountainside. A 250-foot hoist operation was successfully completed, lifting both the injured hiker and accompanying rescue personnel to safety.
Due to the severity of the injuries and the challenging conditions, the patient and rescue personnel were transported immediately to a Level I trauma center for advanced medical care.
Air and Marine Operations, a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, partners with local agencies to provide aviation resources during emergency situations. Officials said the rescue highlights the coordination, professionalism and rapid response capabilities of all personnel involved.