GALVESTON, Texas -- A man nearly drowned when he rescued his children at a Galveston beach on Thursday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The man and his children were swimming in the water near the 61st Street fishing pier and Seawall Boulevard when the currents carried them over the pier.

The man rescued one of his children from the strong riptides and the other child was able to get to the rocks safely.

Galveston Beach Patrol lifeguards arrived and spotted the father hanging on to a life support U-ring. The man let go and the lifeguards got the man out of the water.

Rescue crews performed CPR on the man and he was transported to a hospital in critical condition.