Cardiac Arrest on the Pickleball Court: On the morning of June 4, 2025, in Baker City, Oregon, four quick-thinking pickleball players saved the life of Bruce Robertson after he collapsed from cardiac arrest during a game. The emergency happened at the Family Life Center at the Baker City Church of the Nazarene around 10:15 a.m., while a group of locals was playing their usual morning matches. With the help of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and CPR, Robertson’s heart was restarted before paramedics arrived.
A Sudden Collapse on the Court
Bruce Robertson had just finished a game with Hazen Marks when he fell to the ground. “I had my hand on his back,” Hazen said. “He was gone.” But within minutes, Robertson’s heart began beating again thanks to Hazen, his brother Kelly Marks, Lori Thompson, and Walt Hawkins.
All four jumped into action, and three of them had CPR training. Paramedics from Pioneer Ambulance and the Baker City Fire Department took Robertson to Saint Alphonsus Medical Center-Baker City. From there, he was flown to St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise, Idaho, where he had successful heart bypass surgery.
Lori Thompson shared an update on June 12. “He came through surgery with flying colors,” she said.
What Happened During the Emergency
The group of 20 players usually meets Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lori Thompson said the day started like any other. Players rested on benches between games. She was sitting when someone shouted, “he’s down!”
Kelly Marks was talking with Robertson moments before he collapsed and fell face-first, cutting his cheek. Kelly quickly moved him into the “recovery position.” Hazen knelt to support his back. Walt Hawkins, who retired in 2004 after 29 years with the Oregon State Police, heard someone call for help and ran over. “I headed right over,” Hawkins said.
At first, Robertson was still breathing. But then he stopped. Kelly moved him onto his back. Hawkins and Hazen began chest compressions. Lori held his head to keep the airway open. She said, “It’s kind of like riding a bike. You never forget.”
The Role of the AED
Mike Whitford, the uncle of the Marks brothers, brought over the AED. Kelly, the only one trained to use it, said the machine gave simple voice instructions. “Once you have it on the skin, it’s very user-friendly,” Kelly said.
While Hazen did compressions, the machine told him to “push harder.” Then, it told the team to stop as it prepared a shock. After delivering the shock, Robertson’s heart started beating again. He even cried out “ouch!” just before the paramedics arrived.
Thompson said the entire rescue lasted five to eight minutes, though it felt much longer. “But of course it felt like forever at the time,” she said.
Emotions and Gratitude After the Rescue
No one played pickleball the rest of the day. Instead, the group joined hands and said a prayer. Later, they heard that Robertson was awake, sitting up, and able to speak at the hospital. He even sent a group text and called Walt Hawkins to say thank you. “It’s a good feeling,” Hawkins said.
Kelly was happy to hear the news too. “I’m glad to hear he’s doing well,” he said.
All four rescuers gave credit to teamwork and the AED. “It was a group effort by all means,” Kelly said. Lori Thompson agreed: “It was a group effort.”
The Importance of CPR and AEDs
Baker City Fire Chief Michael Carlson praised the team’s actions and said it shows how important CPR and AEDs are. “I highly doubt the outcome would have been the same,” Carlson said.
Carlson plans to honor the four rescuers at a future city council meeting when Robertson can attend. “I know they didn’t wake up that morning saying I’m going to save someone’s life,” he said. “To me it’s vital to recognize community members when they do great things.”
He also urged businesses and public places to have AEDs easily accessible. Oregon law already requires AEDs in places with over 50,000 square feet or where large groups gather. They are also required in gyms and public colleges.
Walt Hawkins called the AED a “remarkable tool.” Lori Thompson added that CPR alone might not have saved Robertson’s life. “I can’t say enough wonderful things about that AED,” Hawkins said.
Kelly was thankful for his CPR training. “I’m just really glad I had the training I did, that I could fall back on,” he said.
Hazen Marks said he looks forward to playing against Robertson again. “We still have a game to settle,” Hazen said. More than the game, he just wants his friend back on the court.
“I’m just very relieved,” Hazen said. “I feel blessed to be part of this community.”
News in Brief: Cardiac Arrest on the Pickleball Court
Bruce Robertson collapsed from cardiac arrest while playing pickleball on June 4 in Baker City. Four fellow players—Hazen Marks, Kelly Marks, Lori Thompson, and Walt Hawkins—used CPR and an AED to revive him. Robertson later had successful surgery and is recovering well. A city ceremony will honor the rescuers.
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