A man drowned in waters off Kehena Beach in Kalapana yesterday afternoon, and five people who tried to assist him had to be rescued themselves with the help of a Hawai'i County Fire Department helicopter.

The man, who appeared to be in his 50s, was swept out by high surf and strong currents, said Capt. Alex Almeida of the Pahoa fire station. The National Weather Service had earlier issued a high surf advisory for all east shores.

The victim was one of six people pulled from the water about 150 yards offshore with the help of fire-rescue helicopter shortly after 1 p.m. The other five people — four men and a woman — did not require medical attention, Almeida said.

Because the basket attached to the chopper can carry only one rescuer and one rider, it had to make six trips, he said.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire and emergency medical personnel set up a landing zone at Kalapana Seaview Estates and closed Highway 137, also known as Kalapana-Kapoho Road, during the rescue and recovery effort.