Lightning strike surfer fights for life

A German backpacker who was hit by lightning while surfing in northern NSW remains in hospital fighting for life.

The 33-year-old suffered burns after he was hit by lightning while surfing at Suffolk Park, about five kilometres south from Byron Bay on Sunday.

He was dragged from the water by his friend - also believed to be a German tourist - who gave him CPR before paramedics arrived at the scene.

The tourist, who turns 34 in just over a week, was stabilised after going into cardiac arrest and was transported to Tweeds Head hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said on Tuesday.