Niagara Falls, N.Y. — U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Niagara Falls Station responded to a boater in distress on Lake Ontario Saturday, while patrolling the lower Niagara River.

On July 28, at approximately 12:00 PM a young man who was participating in the Youngstown Level Regatta suffered a traumatic head injury. At the time of the injury the conditions on the lake were extreme with waves approximately four feet in height. The man's sailing vessel had poor radio communication and the boat’s captain had to contact emergency personnel by cell phone to report the situation. The mother of the injured also was notified via cell phone and flagged down a Border Patrol vessel for help.

Agents acted quickly and were able to locate the Canadian-registered vessel on Lake Ontario by description and approximate location. On first assessment agents determined that the man was in need of immediate medical attention.

Border Patrol transported the man via their vessel to the Niagara Coast Guard Station, where a Mercy Flight Helicopter was standing by to transport the injured man for further medical attention.

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (800) 331-0353 toll free.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.