Authorities say a good Samaritan is in critical condition after helping to save two children from drowning in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Pensacola News Journal reports the children started having trouble swimming just before 7 p.m. Saturday off of Navarre Beach in Florida’s Panhandle.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s officials said two nearby surfers saw the children struggling and pulled them to safety. Another swimmer who was trying to assist in the rescue was caught in the rough surf. A rescue team from the sheriff’s office pulled him from the water and deputies began CPR.

Officials said the swimmer was in critical condition when taken airlifted to a hospital for treatment.

No further details were immediately available about the swimmer or the children.

(AP)