Man critical after being pulled from surf at Newcastle beach

A 67-year-old man is fighting for life after being found floating face down in the surf at a Newcastle beach this morning.

The man was standing on a sandbar about 20 metres off sure at Dixon Park Beach, near Mereweather Beach, just before 10.30.

A short time later he was seen floating face down, with lifeguards rushing into the water to pull him out.

CPR was performed at the scene and crews were able to restart his heart before he was taken to John Hunter hospital in a critical condition, where he remains in intensive care.