Man dies after surfing at popular Byron beach

About 9.30am yesterday, Monday, March 11, emergency services were called to Main Beach at Byron Bay following reports the surfer was unconscious.

It is believed the man was surfing near the ship wreck when members of the public alerted life guards to the surfer in distress.

Surf Life Savers and NSW Ambulance paramedics rendered assistance to a man who was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a critical condition.

Tragically, police have since been notified that the 59-year-old man died at hospital.