Migrant family rescued after nearly drowning in Rio Grande River, border officials say

A migrant family is alive after becoming stranded in the middle of the Rio Grande River while attempting to cross it, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The family, a 33-year-old man, 34-year-old woman and 5-year-old girl, were crossing the river around 7:40 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, according to agents assigned to CBP’s Eagle Pass station. As the family approached the riverbank, the ground gave way beneath them, plunging them deep into the water, the release said.

Agents who saw the family struggling to stay afloat and fighting the flow of the river attempted to rescue them, the release said. One agent jumped into the river and pulled the mother and child to safety then returned to the water to try and rescue the father, the release said.

The man had been underwater for “an extended period” before being rescued, the release said. The family was evaluated by Emergency Medical Service and transported to a local hospital for more treatment, the release said.

The family, from Haiti, received medical care and was released on the evening of Feb. 12, the release said.

Customs and Border Protection did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

This story was originally published February 14, 2022 at 1:20 PM with the headline "Migrant family rescued after nearly drowning in Rio Grande River, border officials say."