In a demonstration of quick action and medical knowledge, Eden Prairie resident Sundari Saengdara was hailed for her heroic efforts in saving her boyfriend's life during what could have been a fatal pickleball game. On September 27, 2025, as they played at Miller Park, Saengdara's boyfriend, Rory Bakke, collapsed. While she shouted for assistance, other players were quick to call 911 and fetch an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), recently installed at the park.
The presence of mind to seek the AED came from a social media post Saengdara had come across, which informed her of its installation. This incident illustrates the critical importance of awareness and accessibility to lifesaving equipment in public spaces. An Eden Prairie Police Department officer, who quickly arrived on scene, teamed up with Saengdara to try to find a pulse, but to no avail. Saengdara then initiated CPR and used the AED on Bakke, which delivered a shock that would prove to be the beginning of a lifesaving intervention.
As reported by the city's EPPD news bulletin, Eden Prairie Fire Department firefighters and Hennepin EMS paramedics subsequently continued CPR for an additional 10-15 minutes, delivering two more shocks and further lifesaving measures. Their efforts alongside Saengdara's initial response were essential in reviving Bakke, who began to respond and was transported to the hospital.
Later diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare genetic heart condition, Bakke went on to receive a defibrillator implant in late October. It was a sequence of critical events and responses that led to the favorable outcome. At a city council meeting, Saengdara and Bakke had the opportunity to reunite with Officer Serena Haglin and Firefighter Collin O'Brien, the first emergency personnel to swiftly act on the scene.
What transpired at Miller Park is more than a story of individual heroism; it is a clarion call for public preparedness. It exemplifies the life-or-death difference made by the quick thinking and training of ordinary citizens, the value of accessible emergency equipment, and the seamless response of emergency services. Eden Prairie residents witnessed a moment of exemplary community action, a testament to the power of collective vigilance and readiness.
