Bend man with medical problem rescued at Swampy Lakes

A Bend man experiencing chest pains near Swampy Lakes Sno-Park west of Bend over the weekend prompted a call-up of Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue snowmobile teams and an AirLink helicopter that flew him to the hospital, officials said.

Shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, county dispatchers got a call about a skier having a serious medical issue at the Swampy Lakes Shelter, about two miles north of the sno-park, said sheriff’s Deputy Russell Stanage, SAR assistant operations manager.

The wife of John Baker, 69, said she’d gotten a call from her son, David Baker, indicating John Baker was experiencing chest pains at the shelter and seeking help, Stanage said.

Cellphone reception in the remote area is limited, Stanage said, but a nearby search and rescue deputy was able to make contact with the father and son by text messages to confirm the report and their location.

A SAR member and a Forest Service law enforcement officer were snowmobiling in the area and headed to the sno-park. Meanwhile, SAR volunteer snowmobile teams assembled and prepared to provide more help, if needed, the deputy said.

The SAR and Forest Service snowmobilers brought John Baker to the shelter by snowmobile. Once there, Bend Fire medics evaluated and began treating Baker, who was flown by Air Link to St. Charles Bend with life-threatening medical issues, Stanage said.

Hospital officials said he was treated and later released.