By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Cooperation between several local first responder agencies recently resulted in the rescue of a Pecos River kayaker who experienced a medical emergency.
Val Verde Sheriff’s Office Chief Waylon Bullard told the 830 Times Friday VVSO Deputy Brian Zavala was dispatched to a location on the Pecos River west of Comstock about 3 a.m. March 27.
“The deputy was dispatched to assist an emergency medical services team in locating a group of kayakers on the Pecos River,” Bullard said.
“The group had stopped to camp out and sleep, and during the night, a rock – actually, a boulder – from an overhanging ledge fell and struck one of the kayakers in the chest,” Bullard added.
“They were able to call for help via cell phone, and we went out there, EMS went and Border Patrol went. Border Patrol assisted in getting everyone in and out of there,” the chief deputy said.
Bullard said the injured kayaker was located and carried out, then transported to Val Verde Regional Medical Center, where he received treatment for his injuries.
Bullard said the kayaker’s name and residence address are not known, though he did mention the kayaker “was okay” after receiving treatment.
Bullard said he and Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez received an emailed kudos for the sheriff’s office efforts in assisting with the rescue operation from Luke Farrar, patrol agent in charge of Comstock Station for the U.S. Border Patrol.
“He sent us an email saying, ‘Great VVSO/EMS/USBP teamwork for response to the kayaker in distress up on the Pecos River. . . I imagine it felt like an eternity for the kayakers who were waiting, but the response was pretty impressive for a location approximately 85 miles from Val Verde Regional Medical Center with nearly a third of that being on dirt and ranch roads amidst inclement during the hours of darkness’,” Bullard said.
Bullard also lauded the cooperation between the Border Patrol, EMS and sheriff’s office.
“Knowledge of that area is key, and without the Border Patrol out there to guide everyone in, this operation could have taken much, much longer,” Bullard said.
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