Four honored after live-saving effort at Petit Jean State Park

MORRILTON, Ark. — What began as a peaceful family camping trip on Petit Jean Mountain turned into a fight for life — and on Friday, that story came full circle with a celebration of survival and heroism.

Arkansas State Parks honored four people whose quick actions saved camper Bubba Noakes after he went into sudden cardiac arrest last month. Those recognized include former paramedic Ken Ekenseair, Registered Nurse Keri Adaire, and Arkansas State Parks Rangers Josh Baker and Levi Koch.

Law Enforcement Section Chief Ed Thomas led the ceremony at Mather Lodge, presenting Director’s Lifesaving Commendations on behalf of State Parks Director Shea Lewis. The recognition coincides with Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month — a reminder, officials said, of how vital bystander CPR and AED access can be.

Noakes said he and his family were simply enjoying a weekend at Petit Jean when he started feeling weak.

“About 10 feet to the end of the driveway where we were camping I was like I don’t think I have the energy to walk up there,” Noakes recalled. “I sat down on my chair and that’s all that I really remember.”

Moments later, his children realized something was wrong.

“The kids had found me and had hollered for Ken,” Noakes said. “He was camping right next door to us, and Ken came over and started doing CPR.”

What followed was a harrowing 45 minutes before paramedics arrived.

“From what I’ve been told, I was pretty much dead for about 45 minutes and came back,” Noakes said. “I’m very, very thankful to be here today for sure. I’m very thankful for these guys to be able to step in and do what they did that day.”

Ekenseair, a former paramedic and family friend, said he rushed to help when Noakes’s daughter came running.

“Bubba’s nine-year-old came over holler and come help dad come something’s wrong with dad, so I went over there not thinking much,” he said. “He’s a 39-year-old guy, and he was in cardiac arrest.”

“It was really a God thing,” Ekenseair added. “It all came together, now we’ve got a good outcome.”

Rangers Josh Baker and Levi Koch were off duty but nearby when they heard the emergency call. Both live within the park’s housing area and didn’t hesitate to respond.

“Just got the call and because I was in the mountain I went ahead and responded,” Baker said. “We get more satisfaction out of you know having a successful outcome than we do the recognition of what comes with that.”

Keri Adaire, a registered nurse who lives at the base of the mountain, happened to be running her usual route through the campground when she saw the commotion.

“I said ‘Hey, I’m a nurse, do y’all need some help’ and they said, ‘Yes, get over here,’ so I went and relieved Ken doing CPR,” Adaire said.

Having worked in emergency and intensive care units, Adaire said she knew how rare Noakes’ recovery was.

“Most people they go to cardiac arrest outside the hospital don’t survive at all, and especially with such an amazing outcome like he had,” she said.

Friday’s ceremony wasn’t just about medals and recognition — it was about gratitude, teamwork, and the importance of being prepared.

For Noakes, the message is simple.

“Never would’ve dreamed it,” he said. “You know we were just camping for the weekend, had our kids with us… and now, I’m just thankful to be here today.”

Arkansas State Parks officials say the incident is a testament to why they continue investing in emergency response training and AED equipment at all 52 state parks — because every second, and every responder, can make the difference between tragedy and survival.