Young migrant trapped inside duffel bag is freed from burning SUV, Texas video shows

A young migrant was rescued from the back of burning SUV moments after the driver crashed and fled, Texas authorities say.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, March 23, in Webb County near the Mexico border. The Texas Department of Public Safety shared video of the harrowing rescue last week.

Deputies in La Salle County, as well as officers with the Encinal Police Department, assisted in the event, which began with when border officials called in help to stop a vehicle that had avoided an interstate checkpoint.

The driver, who officials called a human smuggler, exceeded speeds of 130 mph before hitting an barrier at a dead end, WFAA reported. Deputies said the driver and other occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.

The SUV ignited in flames, and as officers and deputies approached the vehicle, they found a person inside a duffel bag in the trunk. Sgt. Genaro Hinojosa “sprung into action” and broke a window to reach the woman, officials said.

Video shows the officers pulling the duffel bag out of the SUV and rescuing a migrant who was trapped inside.

“She was just in that duffel bag like a piece of clothing,” Encinal Police Chief Pablo Balboa told WFAA. “The emotion that I had when she came out to tell you the truth was anger. Anger because these people do not care.”

Balboa said it’s unclear what country the woman was coming from.

Deputies said the SUV later became “fully engulfed in flames.” Firefighters in La Salle County had to put out a grass fire near where the vehicle sat, the sheriff’s office said.

“Great example of teamwork among our partners,” the department of public safety said.