A 59-year-old Kekaha man is in critical condition at Wilcox Hospital tonight after nearly drowning at a beach in Anahola known as “Middles,” a Kauai County spokeswoman said.

The man had been body surfing with two family members at about 3:05 p.m. when they decided to swim back in. As they were approaching the beach, a family member noticed that the Kekaha man was face down in the water, and brought him to shore. 

Two lifeguards arrived shortly afterwards, and hooked the victim up to an automated external defibrillator.

Fire fighters from the Kapaa station and medics performed advanced life support on the man and took him to Wilcox Hospital by ambulance.