Immigration
VIDEO: Migrant drowns in Rio Grande where Texas guardsman died in rescue attempt
The video shows the man struggling to keep afloat in the water, while his friend holds on to a cement pillar nearby
May 2, 2022 7:01pm
Updated: May 3, 2022 8:49am
A Nicaraguan migrant died attempting to cross the Rio Grande river on Sunday, in the same area where Texas National Guard member Bishop Evans drowned last month while trying to rescue someone, reported Fox News.
*Graphic Video*: A 38-year-old Nicaraguan man drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande River into Eagle Pass, Texas. Video show his friend holds onto a pillar. National Guard was there. Guardsman told me they’ve been ordered not to do water rescues after SPC. Evans drowned,” tweeted Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas.
*Graphic Video*: A 38 yr-old Nicaraguan man drowned while trying to cross the Rio Grande River into Eagle Pass Texas. Video show his friend holds onto a pillar. National Guard was there. Guardsman told me they’ve been ordered not to do water rescues after SPC. Evans drowned. pic.twitter.com/VWxXW5RrmP
— Bryan Llenas (@BryanLlenas) May 2, 2022
The video shows the man struggling to keep afloat in the water, while his friend holds on to a cement pillar nearby. Eventually, the man does not resurface. The whole incident lasted about two hours.
“Our drone captured the 42-year-old friend - float 150 yards to nearby bridge. We followed him. I pleaded with him to hold tight and to not attempt to swim because the current was too strong,” Llenas tweeted after the second man let go of the pillar and floated downstream.
Our drone captured the 42 year old friend - float 150 yards to nearby bridge. We followed him. I pleaded with him to hold tight and to not attempt to swim because the current was too strong.
— Bryan Llenas (@BryanLlenas) May 2, 2022
Elbe Castro told us he and Nelson left Nicaragua in December. pic.twitter.com/NQusOtjnSR
U.S. authorities reported the incident to Mexican officials, who picked up the man holding on to the pillar by airboat and took him back to Mexico. The deceased man’s body was located by Mexican officials and taken to the Mexican side of the river.
The incident took place about 50 yards from where two National Guardsman were stationed. However, the officers had been ordered not to take part in water rescues after National Guard member Bishop Evans lost his life in the same portion of the Rio Grande while attempting a rescue.
On April 22, Evans went missing while trying to save two migrants who “appeared to be downing as they illegally crossed the river from Mexico into the United States,” reported officials. His body was found several days later. Both migrants survived.
Water rescues along the border are considered dangerous, according to the U.S. Border Patrol. When border agents encounter a person drowning in the Rio Grande, they are supposed to call for specially trained agents that bring the necessary equipment to help save anyone drowning.
