AN Irish dad has drowned while trying to save his 11-year-old daughter after she was swept out to sea on a bodyboard in Australia.
The 45-year-old was at a popular beach in New South Wales with his wife and three kids when one of the youngsters got into difficulty.
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An Irish dad has drowned in AustraliaCredit: 9News 
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He was trying to save his daughter who had been swept out to seaCredit: 9news
He swam out to try and help her back to the shore, but was unable to.
His wife then rushed out and was able to bring the girl back to the beach.
She frantically called emergency services and two police officers dashed to the scene at Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head, at about 6.30pm on Wednesday.
They were unable to find the dad and rescuers from Surf Life Saving retrieved him from the water half an hour later.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, they were unable to revive him and he died at the scene.
Jimmy Keogh from Surf Life Saving NSW told ABC: “They managed to recover the 45-year-old that was submerged in the water and bring him to shore.
“Unfortunately, the male wasn’t able to be revived.”
His wife and daughter were checked over by ambulance crews before they left the beach, which is patrolled until 6pm during Australia’s summer season.
Cops in Australia have informed the Irish consulate of the man’s death.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Steve Pearce, chief executive of Surf Live Saving NSW, said ten people have drowned in New South Wales in a matter of months.
He said: “It’s completely understandable that, as parents, we would go to the aid of our kids in trouble without question.
“Sadly though, it so often ends in tragedies like this.”