North Narrabeen Beach: Man dies after pulled from water while spear fishing

A man who was dragged unconscious from the water on Sydney’s northern beaches has died.

A man has died after being pulled from the water at North Narrabeen Beach on Monday afternoon. Police officers set up a crime scene and were guarding the man's belongings. Picture: Toby Zerna

A man appears to have drowned while spear fishing on the northern beaches.

NSW paramedics and police went to North Narrabeen Beach just after 3.15pm on Monday after reports a man, aged about 30, had been pulled unconscious from the water by council lifeguards.

A man has died after being pulled from the water at North Narrabeen Beach on Monday afternoon, close to the entrance to Narrabeen Lagoon. Picture: Toby Zerna

It is understood the had been spearfishing and snorkelling near the outlet of Narrabeen Lagoon when he got into difficulty and had been unconscious for a significant length of time before he was taken from the water.

A speargun was seen on the sand north of the North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club.

According to paramedics at the scene, the man was aged in his 40s.

The owner of local restaurant Mexicano, Kieron Prenter, said he saw emergency services “flying past” before attending to the man.

“From what I understand, he was a diver and had lost his flipper, Mr Prenter said,

“They were trying to resuscitate him for about half an hour. The lifeguards and a local father and son were all working on him.

“His family were there while he was being resuscitated. It’s really sad . . . my wife and daughter were there too. My daughter was shocked. She’s 16 years old and when she left she started crying.”

A local who was nearby the scene following the incident, David Amherston, said his friend witnessed the incident and told him the man looked like he was “floating on the water” for some time before lifeguards realised he wasn’t moving.

A speargun, a float and other belongings on North Narrabeen Beach. Picture: Toby Zerna

An ambulance spokesman said lifeguards began CPR on the man before paramedics arrived in an effort to revive him.

“There are multiple crews on scene including intensive care paramedics,” the spokesman said.

Police confirmed that the man had died.

A spokesman said the man had been seen getting into difficulty in the water.

“The man hasn’t been formally identified and his age isn’t known.

Northern Beaches Police have established a crime scene on North Narrabeen Beach as part of investigations into how a spearfisher died on Monday afternoon. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended and have established a crime scene.”

Officers were still working to confirm the man’s identity and inform relatives.

Surf Life Saving NSW confirmed that the man, who had been snorkelling for five minutes, was pulled from the water by lifeguards who began CPR before being assisted by paramedics and NSW Police.

Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman, acknowledged the efforts of Northern Beaches Council lifeguards.

“Lifeguards on our beaches in NSW are the best in the world,” he said. “In this case, as we’ve seen over the last month the outcome has been tragic. One life lost is one too many but we’re thankful for the swift response and care taken by the Northern Beaches Council lifeguards,” he said.