Believed to be 29, he was one of six men free diving and spear fishing on Thursday afternoon.

Emergency workers were called just before 4pm after the man failed to resurface.

Police were told the other men tried to resuscitate him on nearby rocks before lifeguards took him to shore and he was treated by paramedics.

The man, yet to be formally identified, was in a critical condition when he was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he later died.

Police said a rescue helicopter crew helped the five others from the rocks, and they were treated for shock.

Australian Associated Press