Man rescued off popular surfing beach dies in hospital

A man pulled from the sea off a popular NSW surf beach has died in hospital.

Emergency services were called to Cabarita Beach on the state’s northern coast about 12.30pm on Saturday when surfers found him floating in the sea.

Three members of the public were attempting to revive the man - aged in his 50s - when paramedics and police arrived.

He was treated at the scene before being taken to Tweed Valley Hospital where he died on Sunday.

The man is yet to be formally identified.

Police have launched an investigation and are preparing a report for the coroner.

Cabarita Beach, 50km north of Byron Bay, was voted Australia’s top beach in 2019 and 2020.

Drowning death unacceptably high: report

The Royal Life Saving Australia National Drowning Report, published in September, warned fatal incidents remain unacceptably high.

There were 313 drowning deaths at Australian beaches in 2025-26, a figure still 10 per cent above the 10-year average.

Research showed older people were at increasing risk, with more incidents recorded in regional areas.