A man who was swept out to sea in the NSW Northern Rivers region has died.
Witnesses told police the 24-year-old from Sydney was in shallow water with a friend at Pippi Beach in Yamba when he was swept into the surf about 2.30pm yesterday.
Police said he signalled for help before disappearing from the unpatrolled beach.
Police, surf lifesavers, paramedics and a rescue helicopter from the Gold Coast searched for hours before the man was spotted about 6pm.
Surf lifesavers retrieved him but he died at the scene.
Police, who were told the man was visiting from Sydney with a friend, will prepare a report for the coroner.
