Former Wallaby dies after being caught in Gold Coast rip

Former Wallaby Mick Barry has died after being caught in a rip on the Gold Coast.

Beach paramedics, including the high acuity response unit, were called to a location off Pacific Parade in Currumbin just before 6am on Friday.

Paramedics assessed Mr Barry, who was in a critical condition after being pulled from the water.

Mick Barry died after being caught in a rip.Credit: Nine News

Despite efforts to save him, he died at the scene.

A police spokesman said the man was not alone in the water.

"A group of six people went swimming and got caught in a rip, but only five were able to make it to shore," he said.

The spokesman said the man appeared to have suffered a medical episode before he was pulled from the water to shore.

Mick Barry (right) playing for the Wallabies in 1966.Credit: AP

Mr Barry was well known in the Gold Coast community and a member of several swimming and surf lifesaving groups.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.