A man has tragically drowned while swimming with children at a popular Southern Tasmanian beach.
Emergency services, including Surf Life Saving Tasmania, responded to the incident at Carlton Beach around 1pm on Sunday.
Police said five people were pulled from the water shortly after receiving reports of swimmers experiencing difficulty due to strong currents.
Paramedics performed CPR on the man, however he could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The other swimmers did not require medical treatment.
Police say the man was trying to rescue the children struggling in the water.
It is understood the four young children were taken ashore by Surf Life Saving volunteers while the man remained in the water.
Surf Life Saving then returned to take the man.
“I understand that he was actually conscious when he was put in the boat, but unfortunately then became unconscious and CPR commenced at that point,” Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Latham said.
From there, I understand paramedics then attended and continued CPR and unfortunately he passed away at the scene.”
Police said it was “not appropriate to comment” if the man and the young swimmers rescued were known to each other.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Earlier: A group of swimmers, including children, have become the subject of a rescue mission at a beach in southern Tasmania this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Carlton Beach, east of Hobart, around 1pm on Sunday.
Police said the group in trouble were experiencing difficulty in strong currents.
Multiple paramedics and a rescue helicopter were at the beach at 3pm on Sunday.
Police have asked people to avoid the beach for the remainder of the afternoon.
