Drowning and Near-Drowning Strong Reminders of Water Safety 

One outing ended in relief, another in tragedy. Both are a reminder that water safety is of paramount importance now that warm weather has fully arrived.

In Parke County, 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.

Earlier this week, Indiana Conservation Officers and Parke County first responders responded to a report of a possible drowning along Sugar Creek. The incident occurred in a remote area of Sugar Creek that is nearly a mile from the nearest roadway and surrounded by steep 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 and swam into the creek and brought Barker to shore. Barker was under the water for about one minute.

Barker was unresponsive and did not have a pulse once back to shore. A licensed physician, James Malenkos, MD, witnessed the event and led a group of bystanders through administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Barker. After approximately 12 minutes, Barker regained a pulse. Within 30 minutes, Barker was responsive and alert.  

A Bloomingdale EMT and another bystander, Casey Bault, transported Barker via canoe to the nearest access point nearly two miles downstream where an ambulance was waiting. Barker was then transported via helicopter to IU Methodist Hospital. Barker was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

Agencies assisting with the incident were Bloomingdale Fire Department, Marshall Fire Department, Parke County Sherrif’s Department, Parke County EMS, and IU Lifeline Helicopter Services.

Unfortunately, another event did not turn out as well as Conservation Officers are investigating a drowning that occurred Saturday evening at Witmer Lake in LaGrange County.

At approximately 5 p.m., the LaGrange County Dispatch Center received a report of a drowning at Witmer Lake. Upon arrival, officers on scene determined that a juvenile jumped from a boat into the water and did not resurface. 

Other passengers on the boat immediately jumped into the water to help locate the juvenile but were unsuccessful. 

At approximately 8:15 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the juvenile’s body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident is under investigation. Assisting agencies include the LaGrange County Sheriff Department; Indiana State Police; Johnson and Orange Township Fire Departments; Kendallville, Ashley, Salem, and Fremont Fire Departments; Parkview EMS and LaGrange County Coroner’s Office.