(BIVN) – A man has reportedly drowned in the waters of Onekahakaha Beach Park, fire officials say.

The Hawaiʻi County Fire Department says it responded to the popular Keaukaha-area swim area at 8:41 p.m. on Friday evening. “Upon arrival, approx. 40 year old male was found unresponsive in shallow tidal flats fronting Onekahakaha Beach park,” a fire dispatch stated.

The cause of the drowning is unknown, fire officials say.

“Several persons night diving off shore Onekahakaha Beach Park” reported the man was having difficulty breathing. “He was assisted towards shore by a friend, who then reported the victim went unresponsive in shallow waters, near where he was found by HFD personnel.”

The patient was “extricated via stokes stretcher to HFD medic and transported to HMC in critical condition.”

Big Island Video News will have more information when it becomes available.