A man has died after he was pulled unconscious from the water on a popular tourist beach.
Paramedics and police rushed to Birubi Beach in Anna Bay at Port Stephens about 2,40pm on Wednesday following reports four people had been pulled from the water.
They arrived to find bystanders trying to help a 33-year-old man.
Despite their efforts, he could not be revived and died at the scene.
NSW Ambulance treated a woman at the scene before rushing her to John Hunter Hospital where she is in a critical condition.
A second man was also treated by paramedics before being taken to the same hospital in a stable condition.
A third man was treated at the scene but did not require hospitalisation.
Birubi Beach is patrolled by professional lifeguards from 9am to 6pm in the summer time.
“Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident,” NSW Police said in a statement.
A reported will be prepared for the coroner.