A migrant woman is recovering from hypothermia and severe frostbite after spending days outside near the Texas-Mexico border during historic winter weather.
Relatives of a 43-year-old Mexican woman called the U.S. Border Patrol to report that the woman was abandoned by a smuggler on Saturday, February 13, near Van Horn, which is 120 miles southeast of El Paso.
The woman spent three days hiding among rocks as it snowed. Once the snowing stopped, she spent another three days in an abandoned shed, according to federal agents.
Border Patrol agents tried looking for the woman with no luck. However, on the sixth day the woman followed tire tracks and found a rancher who called for help.
Authorities were able to get the woman much needed medical care. On Facebook, agents shared a photo of the woman's hands because of her fingers turned black from frostbite.
Agents said they helped rescue 200 people in the area from the winter weather, but four people died from exposure to the cold before help arrived.
“For us, it’s about a precious life lost,” said Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin in a statement. “Our greatest concern is the preservation of life. Our agents go well beyond the normal requirements of the job to help others. They know in these situations, there are no second chances.”
Photo: Getty Images