UPDATE: NSW father drowns while saving daughter after kayak capsizes during family outing

A Bathurst father has drowned while saving the life of his five-year-old daughter after their kayak capsized yesterday.

The pair were on an outing with family and friends when the accident occurred, police said today.

About 7.30pm yesterday, emergency services were called to reports of an overturned kayak and two people in the water at Chifley Dam in Bathurst.

Police have been told the kayak flipped, pushing the 36-year-old man and his five-year-old daughter into the water.

The man and the girl were not wearing lifejackets.

The man was able to place the girl into another kayak, but disappeared under the water.

Just before 9pm, police rescue officers recovered his body a short distance from where the kayak capsized.

Police are investigating the incident and will prepare a brief for the Coroner.