A 69-year-old Wailea man died after becoming distressed and losing consciousness Tuesday night while scuba diving off Ulua Beach in Wailea, officials said.

Police identified him as Thomas Scarbro.

Firefighters were called to the north end of the beach at about 7 p.m. after reports that a diver in the water was yelling for help, said Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro.

At the beach, he said firefighters located a scuba diver who had made his way to shore to get help for his diver partner. The diver reported his partner became unresponsive while in the water and said he had made several attempts at keeping him afloat but was unsuccessful, Yatsushiro said.

He said two firefighters entered the water to begin searching for the man while another fire crew was launching a rescue watercraft to assist.

Fire rescue swimmers made contact with other scuba divers in the area who helped locate the victim and bring him to the surface, Yatsushiro said. He said rescue watercraft brought the man to shore for waiting medics and firefighters.

After efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful, the man was pronounced dead, Yatsushiro said.

Wailea engine and ladder companies and a Kahului rescue crew responded.