STURGIS, S.D.(KBHB) – The Meade County Sheriff’s Office says a young man in distress in Bear Butte Lake was rescued by a group of paddle boarders on Friday.

Meade County Sheriff Pat West says the young man was swimming in the lake when he became tired and was having trouble staying afloat. He says a group of paddle boarders were in the lake and noticed the young man in distress. They were able to get the male up on a board and to the shore where he was treated by Sturgis Ambulance crews.

West says without such quick action by the paddle boarders, the incident could have ended in tragedy.