The man who died on a Christchurch beach yesterday afternoon was trying to save a child from the same fate.
Emergency services were called to Spencer Park beach at 12.45pm on Sunday, a police spokesperson said.
Water Safety chief executive Daniel Gerrard said he understands the man had tried to rescue a young child after they had either been swept out by a rip or had swum out of their depth in the swells, which were slightly bigger than usual.
Nearby lifeguards were able to rescue the child, Gerrard said, and brought the unconscious man onto the beach where they tried to resuscitate him, but were unsuccessful.
St John Ambulance said it was notified of a water-related incident near Spencer Park at 12.42pm. Four ambulances and five clinical managers responded.