Man dies and another is critical after being pulled from the surf at a NSW beach

One man has died and another is critical after friends pulled them from the surf at a NSW beach on Monday.

One man is dead and another is critical after being pulled from the surf at Shoal Bay, north of Newcastle.

Emergency services rushed to Zenith Beach on the NSW Central Coast following a report two swimmers were in distress about 2.45pm on Monday.

Friends of the men pulled them from the water and members of the public and police performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

“One of the men couldn't be revived and died at the scene,” a police spokesman said.

“A second man is being treated at the scene and is listed as being in a critical condition.”

The men are yet to be formally identified but police believe they are both aged in their 20s.

More to come.

Originally published as Man dies and another is critical after being pulled from the surf at a NSW beach