Teens badly hurt after falling from U.S-Mexico border wall, CBP says
YUMA, Ariz. (FOX 5 NY) - Two teenagers from Guatemala fell off the 18-foot border wall while trying to illegally enter the United States, according to federal officials.
It happened when the two teens and four other people scaled the border wall east of the San Luis Port of Entry in Arizona on Friday, Dec. 6, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
A 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl fell off the wall, officials said. The 14-year-old, who was traveling with her mother, suffered a serious back injury, CBP said. The older teen, who was traveling without an adult, hurt an ankle.
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"People entering our country illegally, at places other than designated Ports of Entry, put themselves and their families in dangerous situations that could result in significant injury or even death," Yuma Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Carl Landrum said in a statement.
Border Patrol agents and medics responded to the scene to help the injured teens. Agents took the other four border-crossers into custody.
The 14-year-old was ultimately taken to a hospital in Phoenix, CBP said. The 17-year-old was treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center.
Fox 5 NY produced this story from New York City.