Hawaii County firefighters rescued a 16-year-old boy who fell into rough waters off Mackenzie Recreation Area on Friday afternoon.

Hawaii County Fire Department said in a report that the teen was fishing along the cliffs when he fell into the ocean. When fire personnel and lifeguards arrived, he was in distress trying to fight the strong currents. A lifeguard assisted the fisherman and secured a rescue buoy to him.

The fire department deployed a helicopter and a rescue personnel went into the water and helped the boy and the lifeguard into a Billy Pugh net, and airlifted them to shore. Emergency Medical Services were waiting and transported the teen to Hilo Medical Center for treatment and evaluation.

The rocky shoreline, strong currents and large surf made it difficult for the teen to get out of the water. The call came in at 4:42 p.m. The first unit arrived at 5:01 p.m. and the last unit was back in quarters by 6:66 p.m.