‘Help me!’: Good Samaritans rescue 6-year-old boy who fell into lake

The men then realized the sound was coming from the water and was actually a 6-year-old boy who had fallen into the lake.

As they ran to a neighboring dock, the men said they could hear the boy yelling, "Help me!"

Deputies said that’s when Scott Lingerfelt, one of the carpenters, jumped into the water fully clothed and swam about 40 yards to grab the boy.

The water temperature was believed to be 45 to 50 degrees at the time.

As Lingerfelt swam back, James Wycoff, a nearby homeowner, called 911 while the boy’s brother and Jason Southerland, another carpenter, waited for him.

Deputies said when Lingerfelt reached the dock, the brother helped pull the boy from the water.

The child was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center and is expected to be OK.

The rescuers will be honored for their efforts on Monday at the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office.