Agents assigned to the Eagle Pass Station found the 37-year-old Venezuelan man while patrolling the Rio Grande River near Eagle Pass, Texas, around 8 p.m., Sept. 5.
The subject was having difficulty breathing and complained of prior health problems.
Agents transported the man by boat, approximately a mile and a half upriver to the Eagle Pass Port of Entry, Bridge #2, where a waiting Border Patrol EMT summoned an ambulance. The subject was taken to a local hospital, where he was evaluated by medical personnel.
Following evaluation, hospital personnel made the decision to transfer him to a San Antonio hospital, by helicopter, where he was placed in ICU. Family members were advised and arrived at the hospital.
Several unsuccessful attempts were made to notify the Venezuelan Consulate.
On the evening of Sept. 6, the subject was released to the custody of family due to humanitarian reasons, and remained hospitalized in critical condition but passed this morning.