Horse trailer smuggling 18 immigrants overturns

IT WAS A WINDY DAY IN EASTERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, LIKELY ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT LED THIS LARGE HORSE TRAILER TO OVER TURN.

IT HAD BEEN CARRYING AT LEAST 18 PEOPLE, IN WHAT THE BORDER PATROL SAYS WAS A HUMAN SMUGGLING OPERATION.

WHEN FIRST RESPONDERS ARRIVED - THE TRAILER WAS EMPTY.

AFTER THE CRASH, THE PEOPLE INSIDE HAD APPARENTLY TRIED TO HIDE IN THE ROCKS AND BRUSH - DESPITE THEIR INJURIES.

"When they fled the scene they don't want to be found, when you have patients hiding in rugged terrain it takes a while for an organized search to organize them, assess them, and then bring them up to the highway here to be treated."

(NATS OF CHOPPER)

ONE MAN WAS FOUND DEEP IN A NEARBY CANYON AND HAD TO BE RESCUED BY THE SHERIFF'S HELICOPTER.

ANOTHER WAS ALSO FLOWN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

IN ALL, 4 MEN AND TWO WOMEN WERE HOSPITALIZED.

THE BORDER PATROL TOOK THE REST INTO CUSTODY AND CONTINUED SEARCHING THE AREA.