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Border Patrol agents in San Diego saved a cyclist who fell over 50 feet from a cliff into a remote canyon near Otay Lakes County Park on Saturday (September 20). The cyclist, identified as 57-year-old Keith Leyva from San Diego, was walking his bike along a trail when he lost his footing and plunged into the canyon.
The agents, patrolling near the Sweetwater Dam, heard Leyva's cries for help and hiked into the canyon to locate him. Upon reaching Leyva, they found him suffering from multiple serious injuries, including several broken bones and a collapsed lung. According to a statement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Leyva was unable to move for hours and continued to call for help until the agents arrived.
Additional agents, including a Border Patrol emergency medical technician, arrived to assist in stabilizing Leyva. He was then airlifted by a San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter to a local hospital for treatment. San Diego Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker praised the agents, stating, "There is no doubt in my mind that these agents saved this man’s life."
The following day, agents returned to the scene to recover Leyva's bike and personal belongings, which were delivered to his wife.