Oregon senator asked opponent for help during heart attack



SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Two Oregon state senators may not always be on the same side, but when crisis hit they were reaching across the aisle.

KATU-TV reports that when Democrat Sen. Alan Bates, of Medford received a note from his aide that Republican Sen. Alan Olsen, of Canby wanted to see him, he initially dismissed it. But when his aide said it was for a medical reason he rushed to see his opponent.

Olsen admits he was too embarrassed to call an ambulance and make a fuss initially, so he called Bates.

Olsen suffered a heart attack June 1 after a floor session and was rushed to the hospital.

"(Bates) saved my life. He absolutely saved my life," Olsen told KATU.

Bates, a physician, says he's been getting some gentle ribbing above helping save a conservative, but that it's all in jest. He says he would always help a colleague.