Good Samaritans rescued a 27-year-old California man this evening from waters off China Walls in Hawaii Kai.

Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright said in an email that witnesses reported seeing the man trying to climb out of the water when a wave knocked him back in.

A 911 call at 6:10 p.m. reported that a person was unconscious but breathing.

Surfers brought the unconscious man to shore.

First responders arrived and took over medical treatment, Enright said.

Emergency Medical Services administered advanced life support and transported the man to a hospital in critical condition with head injuries.

“Another example of good Samaritans being there for others,” Enright wrote. “We are very grateful to all who helped this man today.”