Video: Authorities rescue migrant caught in southern Arizona mountains

PHOENIX — U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday night rescued a migrant who was stuck in the Baboquivari Mountains just over 50 miles southwest of Tucson, authorities said.

A National Guard helicopter patrolling the area located the migrant who appeared to be in distress and was lying on the ground and waving at them, according to a press release.

An Air and Marine Operations Black Hawk crew arrived around 8 p.m. and had to perform a hazardous 80-foot hoist to reach the migrant due to terrain and night conditions that made landing not possible, authorities said.

The crew member assessed the migrant’s injuries before both were hoisted back up to the helicopter.

Authorities transported the migrant to the Border Patrol facility near San Miguel to determine if further medical attention was necessary, according to the release.

The National Guard was assisting border security efforts since Tucson’s aircrews were in Los Angeles over the weekend to help with security for the Super Bowl, authorities said.

“Even while our Tucson aircrews were patrolling the skies over Los Angeles in support of Super Bowl XVI, the work continues here in Southern Arizona,” Michael Montgomery, director of Air Operations with the Tucson Air Branch, said in the release.

“Every day is game day for CBP agents and officers on the defensive line keeping America safe.”

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