An Ohio man was taken by LifeStar helicopter to a Savannah hospital after he was beaten on Hilton Head Island early New Year's Day, according to a report at the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

A deputy saw two men punching and kicking a man lying in the fetal position at about 2:30 a.m. Jan. 1 in a shopping area on North Forest Beach Drive, according to an incident report.

The two men, who were both arrested for assault and battery, said they were defending themselves after the victim attacked them. Other witnesses said a screaming match had broken out before they attacked the Ohio man.

Although the victim was responsive at the scene, paramedics determined that because of injuries on his head, ribs and back he needed to be airlifted to Memorial Medical University in Savannah.

A hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday he had since been released.