A swimmer has been taken to hospital unconscious after being been pulled from the surf at MM Beach at Port Kembla, NSW, on Saturday afternoon.
Wollongong Local Area Command Acting Inspector Jack Brown said the 33-year-old man got into difficulty while in the surf at the unpatrolled beach.
It is believed two members of the public came to his aid, and attempted to do first aid and CPR on him without success.
Paramedics attended, but were also unable to revive him.
He has been transported to Wollongong Hospital in a critical condition.
Acting Inspector Brown said the man, from South Western Sydney, had been visiting the beach with his wife and young children.
Life Saving NSW duty officer Anthony Turner said surf life savers did not have many details of the incident as MM Beach was unpatrolled.
“This highlights the need to swim at patrolled locations between red and yellow flags,” he said.
“We have 17 patrolled beaches in Wollongong – people really need to make that effort to drive to a local patrolled beach.”
He said life savers were monitoring large crowds at all patrolled beaches, are urged people to “know their limitations and ability on the surf”.
“If you’re not sure go and ask the life savers on duty,” he said.
He also reminded people not to drink alcohol and swim, and said the SLS Beachsafe app provided the latest information on conditions, patrol hours and safety for every beach in Australia.