Body recovered near Rio Grande along Border Highway

The body of a man was recovered Thursday along the Rio Grande.

El Paso Police said the body was first spotted by U.S. Border Patrol agents around 9 a.m. along the border highway near Bowie High School.

The body had gotten caught in a canal head gate. The El Paso Fire Department was called around 10 a.m. to assist in the recovery.

Fire officials said the water rescue team set up about a mile east of Cypress Road. Local water authorities lifted the gates to allow to body to float downstream.

The body was successfully recovered around 1:30 p.m. The Fire Department turned to body over to the El Paso Police Department and Customs and Border Patrol for further investigation.

Police said the name and age of the man is not known at this time.

Fire officials would like to remind the public to stay away from the Rio Grande and canals. The water has swift undercurrents that can be a challenge for those who can’t swim.