El Paso Fire Department, CBP rescue injured hiker from Franklin Mountains

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A hiker in critical condition was rescued from the Franklin Mountains in Northeast El Paso Wednesday afternoon.

According to the El Paso Fire Department, crews were stationed at 2740 Gunnison Drive at the base of the Franklin Mountains as they worked to rescue a hiker down to bring a hiker down Wednesday afternoon.

Fire crews said 911 dispatchers received a report of a man who had been solo rock climbing near the Thunderbird Trailhead, located at 2740 Gunnison Drive.

The injured man reported that he had fallen about 20 to 30 feet while rappelling the previous day, on Tuesday shortly before noon, and sustained serious injuries, EPFD said.

According to EPFD, the injured man remained at that location until he was able to contact 911 on Wednesday, with crews arriving on scene at 11:30 a.m. and conducting an initial assessment.

At around 1:36 p.m., crews made contact with the hiker, and by 2:12 p.m., the hiker was reportedly rushed to the hospital as first responders said they were in critical condition, meaning they suffered life-threatening injuries.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations El Paso Air Branch UH-60 helicopter helped with the rescue, flying the hiker to the hospital.

“CBP El Paso Air Branch continues to work with and train with our local search and rescue partners for emergencies just like the one we had today, said CBP El Paso Air Branch director Efren Gonzalez. “These rescue capabilities and the skill sets we have developed through training together continue to save lives in this rugged mountain and desert region of ours.”

The UH-60 aircrew transported the patient and rescue specialist to a safe landing spot in McKelligon Canyon.

The aircrew landed briefly to load the patient and rescue specialist into the helicopter and transported the patient to a local hospital for treatment.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

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