Border Patrol agents have rescued an injured Mexican migrant who was abandoned by smugglers in the desert.

Border Patrol officials say an agent from the Tucson Sector was investigating a brushfire 20 miles east of Nogales early Friday when he came across the 33-year-old man, who had an open ankle fracture.

Another agent with emergency medical training provided first aid.

The man was airlifted to a Tucson hospital. He is expected to be processed for immigration violations after his release.