A 57-year-old man has died after drowning while fishing at a popular beach.
The man was with a 34-year-old friend at Boulder Beach between Lennox Head and Skennars Head, in northern NSW, at 4pm on Sunday.
The pair were then swept off the rocks when beachgoers noticed the friends in distress in the water and pulled them to shore.
Police performed CPR on the 57-year-old before NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived and continued treatment, but the man died at the scene.
The 34-year-old man was not injured.
Off-duty lifeguard Michael Crisp recalled the moment he noticed something was wrong.
'I saw people pointing and then a police officer running with the life-saving device that's there at Boulder's Beach,' he said.
'It is a known black spot for fishing.'
Boulder Beach is a popular stop on NSW's coastal path and is known for its picturesque picnic spots and surf break.
The beach is unpatrolled - meaning there are no Surf Life Saving Australia services provided.
Surf Life Saving Australia urges beach goers to check the Surf Safety section of their website before going for a swim.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner.
Anyone with information in relation to the incident are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.