A man has tragically drowned and another is fighting for his life after being rescued from the water.
Emergency services were called to Zenith Beach in Shoal Bay, about 220km north of Sydney, about 2.45pm on Monday.
Two distressed swimmers were pulled from the ocean by their friends with witnesses performing CPR until paramedics arrived.
One of the men was unable to be revived.
The second man was treated at the scene and remains in a critical condition.
The men are yet to be formally identified but are believed to be aged in their 20s.
‘No further information is available at this stage,’ NSW Police said in a statement.
Photos from the beach showed a large crowd gathered near the water as a rescue helicopter approached.
Zenith Beach is south of Tomaree Head – the southern headland of Port Stephens.
It’s a local favourite for photographers and nature lovers.
More to come…