An elderly man who was rescued from choppy waters off of Sandy Beach today was taken to a hospital in critical condition, emergency services officials said.

Witnesses said the man was swept off of a lava outcropping and into storm-swept seas of 6 to 8 feet and was rescued by a relative and a bystander.

The rescuers dragged the victim back onto the rocky shoreline and suffered severe cuts and scrapes, witnesses said.

Emergency Services officials could not confirm that the man — believed to be in his 60s or 70s — was swept off of the rocks while fishing.

Paramedics were dispatched at 12:53 p.m.