A man has drowned while attempting to rescue his daughter from the surf at Lennox Head overnight.

Police have been told a couple and their three children were only in shallow water at Seven Mile Beach about 6.30pm (Wednesday 18 January 2023), when their 11-year-old daughter was swept out to sea on a bodyboard.

Her father, aged 45, swam out to her but was unable to bring them back to shore. His wife also swam out and she and the girl were able to reach the beach and alert authorities.

Two police officers, who were first on the scene, entered the surf in an attempt to find the man but were unsuccessful.

The man was retrieved from the surf about 7pm by surf lifesavers.

NSW Ambulance paramedics initiated CPR but were unable to revive the man and he died at the scene.

The woman and her daughter were treated by paramedics and allowed to go home.

The family is from Lennox Head; officers from Richmond Police District have alerted the Irish Consulate of the man’s death.

Seven Mile Beach was not patrolled at the time.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.