Sept. 1 (UPI) -- A kitesurfer off the coast of Qatar filmed his rescue of a sea turtle that lost consciousness when it became stranded in the hot, shallow water.

Blake Olsen said he was kitesurfing off Al Wakrah on Tuesday when he spotted the lone turtle bobbing in the shallow water and not showing any signs of life.


''This lone turtle was stuck in the shallow boiling hot water, unable to open his eyes or move his flippers,'' Olsen wrote online. ''I picked it up and thought for sure it was dead. As I set it back in the water I gave him a little push and he moved his flippers. So we brought him out to deeper, cooler water with us and it came to life.''

Olsen said the turtle appeared to be grateful for the help.

''Swimming with me and being very playful, the turtle kept coming up and looking me in the eyes. It was an incredible experience and felt so good to save such a helpless innocent creature,'' he said.