Serious Medical transport from Swampy Lakes Shelter
Near Swampy Lakes Sno-Park, west of Bend.
Victim Skier: Baker, John 69 year old male, Bend, Oregon
Victims son: Baker, David, Bend, Oregon
BY: Deputy Russell Stanage, DCSAR Assistant Operations ManagerOn 01/03/2015, at about 1553 hours Deschutes County Dispatch received a call of a skier that was having a serious medical issue at the Swampy Lakes Shelter, about 2 miles north of the Swampy Lakes Snow Park. Initial reports from Baker’s wife indicated that she had received a text message from her son which said John Baker of Bend was experiencing chest pains at the shelter and requested medical assistance. Cell phone reception in this remote area is limited but contact was made directly to John and David Baker by text messages from a nearby Search and Rescue Deputy to confirm the report and exact location.
A member of Deschutes County Search and Rescue, who was on his personal sled and a U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer were snowmobiling in the area and responded to the Swampy Lakes Snow Park. Volunteers from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue snow mobile teams assembled and prepared to provide additional assistance if needed. The on scene SAR member and USFS LEO assisted Bend medics by transporting them into the snow shelter by snow mobile. Bend medics evaluated and began treatment of Baker while Air-Link responded.
Baker was transported by Air-Link to Bend St. Charles with life threatening medical issues.