1 Border Crosser Dies in Snow, 6 Others Rescued
A group of illegal immigrants got lost in freezing, snowy backcountry in eastern San Diego County and one died before six others were rescued Saturday, the Border Patrol said.
The Mexican nationals, all men, became disoriented near Corte Madera in Pine Valley, a high-elevation rural area east of San Diego, Border Patrol spokesman Richard Kite said. A storm had dumped 8 inches to 1 1/2 feet of snow, he said.
One man used either a cellphone or a call box to contact the California Highway Patrol at 7:30 a.m., Kite said.
Border Patrol agents hunted about three hours before finding the group, Kite said.
One man was pronounced dead. The others were treated at the scene, possibly for mild hypothermia, but all were expected to survive, Kite said.
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