A 62-year-old Hawaii island man died Tuesday afternoon after being swept underwater in strong currents near a beach in Waipio Valley, fire and police officials said.

Hamakua District police units responded to the 1:35 p.m. report of a drowning.

Off-duty medical personnel tried to revive the man by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Bystanders said the man had been swept underwater by the strong currents. They found him unresponsive and pulled him to the beach.

The Hawaii County Fire Department responded to the scene and took over attempts to revive the victim, but the effort was unsuccessful.

Police identified the man as James D. Barber of Puako. 

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.