Indy woman saved by bystanders on Sugar Creek

PARKE COUNTY, Ind. -A woman is alive and recovering from a near-drowning accident that occurred Saturday, thanks to the quick actions of several bystanders along Sugar Creek.

Indiana Conservation Officers and Parke County first responders responded to a report of a possible drowning along Sugar Creek at around 12:40 p.m. The incident occurred in a remote area of Sugar Creek, about a mile from the nearest roadway and surrounded by cliffs and dense forest.  

Bobbie Barker, 35, from Indianapolis, was canoeing with her boyfriend when they struck a log, causing her to fall into the water. Cole Riggleman, a bystander, witnessed the incident, swam into the creek, and brought her to shore. She was in the water for about one minute.   

Barker was unresponsive and without a pulse. A licensed physician, James Malenkos, MD, also witnessed the event and led a group of bystanders in administering CPR on Barker. After 12 minutes, Barker regained a pulse. Within 30 minutes, she was responsive and alert.   

A Bloomingdale EMT and another bystander, Casey Bault, transported Barker via canoe to the nearest access point two miles downstream, where an ambulance was waiting. She was then transported via helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital.

The woman was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.