A man has died after being swept into the ocean while rock fishing on a notoriously dangerous headland on the NSW Central Coast.

The 41-year-old was rock fishing with two other men on Saturday afternoon at Snapper Point, north of Frazer Park beach, when a wave knocked him into the water.

Emergency services were called to Munmorah State Conservation Area at about 1.20pm where they found the man’s body floating face-up in the surf.

The man was wearing a flotation device around his torso, but no life jacket, and had been clinging to an Esky in an attempt to stay afloat.

Police believe the man let go of the Esky after 10-15 minutes.

A paramedic from the Westpac Rescue helicopter was winched down to retrieve the man’s body from the water.

Paramedics on board commenced CPR, but sadly, he could not be revived.

One of his friends had entered the water earlier to attempt to rescue him but was unsuccessful.

The 41-year-old man was rock fishing on a lower platform at Snapper Point (pictured) when a wave swept him into the water
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The 41-year-old man was rock fishing on a lower platform at Snapper Point (pictured) when a wave swept him into the water

He was picked up by a passing boat and taken to Swansea RSL Club, uninjured.

Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW, and NSW Ambulance were also involved in the rescue efforts.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and will prepare a report for the coroner.

The three-kilometre stretch of coastline where Snapper Point is located is notorious for its dangerous conditions, which Surf Life Saving NSW described as having ‘lots of rock crevasses and lots of caves’.

More than 20 people have died since 2008 along the stretch of coastline.

Several others have either drowned or been rescued after waves swept them from the rocks at Snapper Point.

Central Coast locals took to social media to pay their respects to the man’s family, while noting Snapper Point’s dangerous conditions.

‘Over the last 50 years, so many people have drowned in that area around Snapper Point. Every time I see the Westpac helicopter heading towards there, you know that it is highly likely that there will be a tragic outcome,’ one wrote.

His body was retrieved by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after paramedics failed to revive him
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His body was retrieved by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter after paramedics failed to revive him

Another added: ‘That place has always been a very dangerous fishing spot.’

The latest tragedy comes just weeks after two rock fishermen drowned at Little Beach in Bouddi National Park, also on the Central Coast.