SIERRA VISTA — An injured female illegal immigrant, abandoned with a broken leg by a human smuggler, was rescued by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Saturday afternoon near Bisbee.

The woman, 29, was found abandoned in the mountains by another border crosser who came by after she had been there for about four hours, according to Tucson-sector Border Patrol spokesman Rob Daniels.

Naco station Border Patrol agents encountered a man on Highway 80, “who told us that along his trek he’d passed an injured female about three or so miles to the south of Highway 80,” Daniels said.

A search-and-rescue mission was initiated involving ground agents, horse patrol and a Customs/Border Patrol helicopter from that point. The woman was located alone and unable to move on her own, and one the agents assessed her leg and confirmed it was broken. The leg was immobilized for travel, but because of rough terrain the helicopter couldn’t land, so agents brought her out of the hills on a litter to an awaiting ambulance, and she was taken to Bisbee’s Copper Queen Hospital for treatment.

Both she and the immigrant who found her and sent help were processed by the Border Patrol, Daniels said.

“When we talked to her afterwards, she confirmed that her smuggler had left her behind. She was alone there for about four hours until the individual passed by and promised to get help,” Daniels said. “He was processed and so was the woman eventually.”

During fiscal year 2007 which ended last month, the 36 certified Tucson-sector Border Patrol EMTs have rescued 573 people from various life-threatening situations such as hypothermia, exposure and dehydration, Daniels said.

Herald/Review reporter Gentry Braswell can be reached at 515-4680 or by e-mail at gentry.braswell@svherald.com.