Hill City man drowns near Gettysburg

Rescue crews from the Potter County Sheriff’s Office, Gettysburg Fire and Rescue, Gettysburg Ambulance, Hoven Ambulance, Game, Fish and Parks, conservation officers, South Dakota Highway Patrol and South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) responded to a call of two men in the water.

A press release issued by the Potter County Sheriff’s Office said Friday, Nov. 14, at approximately 4:04 p.m., a 911 call came into the Mobridge Regional Dispatch and transferred to Potter County Sheriff Curtis Hamburger. The call stated that there were two men in the water.

One, a male, later identified as Toby Keller of Hill City, was recovered from the water and CPR administered. The recovered man was then transported to Dodge Draw Dock where he was pronounced deceased. The other reported body was unreachable. 

Gettysburg Fire Rescue boarded a pontoon boat and were taken out to the location of the incident. The rescue crew discovered a trash bag with empty beer cans and a bottle of whiskey. There was no indication of a capsized or sunken boat. 

Conservation officers conducted an underwater scan of the area looking for another body. No other body was located. There is no indication at this time that a second drowning had occurred. 

The operator of the boat  Keller fell overboard from was identified as William Bradford of Rural Hughes County. He was arrested for Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) by a conservation officer. 

An autopsy is being conducted and DCI is conducting the continued investigation of Keller’s death. There is no indication at this time of foul play. 

Hamburger said it does not appear that a life jacket was worn by the deceased. 

Rescuers arrived on scene at approximately 4:32 p.m.