A 39-year-old, Kapaau fisherman who fell along the North Kohala coast on the Big Island on Saturday died of his injuries yesterday, Big Island police said today.

Rockne Ching was trying to rappel down a 50-foot cliff at a fishing spot known as “Ladders” on Saturday when he lost his grip and fell about 20 feet onto the rocks below. 

He was air lifted by a fire department helicopter and taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital in critical condition. 

He was later transferred to Maui Memorial Hospital for treatment of head and back injuries.

Ching died from his injuries yesterday.

Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.