Big Island fire personnel said a man in his 30s died yesterday while swimming in the Hilo area.

Fire rescue personnel were called to Puu Maile, a diving and fishing area inaccessible by car, at about 1:29 p.m. Beachgoers pointed to an area where a swimmer in distress was seen waving for help.

The Fire Department used a rescue boat and a helicopter and located the man.

A Fire Department diver recovered the man from the ocean floor. Medical personnel on shore could not revive the man. He was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center.