Man 'Awake and Alert' After Being on Life Support Following Surfing Accident: 'It's a Miracle,' Says Mom

"We feel beyond blessed to have him back with us!" Austin Gibbon's mom said

<p>GoFundMe</p> Austin Gibbons.

GoFundMe

Austin Gibbons.
  • Austin Gibbons, 25, has been taken off life support after he was critically injured while surfing in Hawaii last week, per reports

  • The avid surfer had just moved from New York to Hawaii about a month ago

  • The Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment

A New York man is on the road to recovery after he was critically injured while surfing on a beach in Hawaii last week.

Austin Gibbons, 25, was surfing at Pipeline, a surf reef break located off Ehukai Beach Park, on Monday with friends when he was found unconscious in the water, according to Newsday.

A 911 call came in after 6:30 p.m. local time when lifeguards had finished their shifts, Fox and CW affiliate KHON-TV and the Honolulu-Star Advertiser reported. Fortunately, lifeguards were still in the parking lot and were alerted by fellow beachgoers.

Related: Man, 39, Dies After 'Shark Encounter' While Surfing in Hawaii: 'Living Nightmare,' Says Family

"By the grace of God they were still there," Austin's mother Christine told Newsday.

"Surfers helped bring the man close to shore, and with lifeguards brought him up onto the sand,” according to Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services' statement obtained by Newsday. 

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Several rounds of CPR were given, and the surfer regained a pulse, per the reports.

"Honolulu EMS took over with advanced lifesaving treatment and transported the man in critical condition to an area emergency room,” the statement said, according to Newsday.

The Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Related: Sister of Teen Surfer Who Died Riding Waves During Hurricane Irma Speaks Out: 'All of Barbados Is Hurting'

Christine flew out to be with Austin after his accident, Newsday reported. The avid surfer who moved to Hawaii around a month ago to follow his dream of becoming a lifeguard had already been making progress in his recovery, she added.

In an update on Facebook Saturday, Christine shared that Austin was taken off life support.

"He is awake and alert, though very tired, and making steady progress. It is truly a miracle and we feel beyond blessed to have him back with us!" she wrote. "Austin still has a lot of work ahead of him in his recovery, but we are confident that through force of will, hard work and determination he will succeed."

Related: Fla. Student Recalls Being Attacked by Shark While Surfing: ‘I Saw My Foot in His Mouth’

A GoFundMe fundraiser launched days after the accident to help "the Gibbons Family cover the mounting costs of the medical and lodging bills that are accumulating."

More than $120,000 has been raised as of Wednesday morning.

"We are here now due to the grace of God, and the power of prayer that in our case comes with community," Christine added.

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Read the original article on People.