A man in his 40s believed to be a US national has died after being pulled unconscious from the water between Blue Fish Point and Shelly Beach at North Head, where he had been spearfishing with a companion when the pair were caught in a rip.
The incident unfolded just before 3pm on 16 June 2026, when bystanders on the headland heard cries for help coming from the water on the eastern side of North Head, near Shelly Beach in Manly. The man’s companion, a 20-year-old, raised the alarm after the older man lost consciousness. Those on shore called Triple Zero, triggering a major emergency response.
Lifeguards from Manly Beach reached the two men by jet ski near Blue Fish Point, finding the older man unresponsive and not breathing. They rescued both men and brought them ashore at Shelly Beach.
The response that came from sea and air
The rescue brought together multiple emergency services. NSW Police Marine Area Command, Northern Beaches Police Area Command officers, five NSW Ambulance crews including a Special Operations Paramedic, Intensive Care Paramedics and a supervisor, the Toll NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Fire and Rescue NSW Manly Station all responded.
The first ambulance crews were waiting on Shelly Beach as lifeguards brought the unconscious man ashore just before 3.15pm. Paramedics confirmed he had no pulse and worked to resuscitate him on the beach.
The Toll NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter dropped an aeromedical team directly onto the beach before landing at Manly Oval. Firefighters assisted in carrying the man off the sand.
Resuscitation efforts on the beach were successful, with paramedics and the medical team restoring a pulse. The man was transported by road to Northern Beaches Hospital in a critical condition just before 3.45pm, accompanied by the aeromedical team. He died in hospital shortly afterwards.
NSW Police confirmed the death just after 6pm. The man is yet to be formally identified. Investigations are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
A section of coast that demands respect
The waters around North Head and Shelly Beach are among the most beautiful on the northern beaches, drawing swimmers, divers and spearfishers to their clear conditions and rich marine life. They are also among the more demanding. The headland’s exposed eastern face generates strong and unpredictable rip currents, particularly in winter swell conditions, and the area has seen a number of serious water incidents over recent years.
Spearfishing in the ocean requires significant physical exertion, breath control and situational awareness. Diving alone or in pairs in areas with rip current activity carries elevated risk, and conditions can change quickly around headlands exposed to open ocean swell.
NSW Water Safety recommends spearfishers always dive with a buddy, carry a dive flag, wear a brightly coloured wetsuit or float, and check conditions carefully before entering the water. In an emergency on or near the water, call Triple Zero on 000.
Published 18-June-2026
