Swimmer drowns at Shelley Beach in Cronulla as water death toll rises

A swimmer has died at a popular beach in Cronulla with his two male swimming partners rushed to hospital, one in a critical condition.

The three men got in to trouble around 1.50pm at Shelley Beach on Saturday.

One man managed to get himself back to shore while the other two needed to be helped to shore by rescuers on jet skis who took them to nearby Cronulla Beach. 

A man, whose age is currently not known, died, while the other two men were taken to hospital. 

A swimmer has died at a popular beach in Cronulla with two others rushed to hospital, one in a critical condition

The three men got in to trouble around 1.50pm at Shelley Beach on Saturday, with two needing to be brought to shore by jet ski

A man in his 40s was underwater for three minutes and was unconscious when lifeguards arrived.

He was taken by ambulance to St George Hospital in a critical condition.

The third man, aged in his 20s, is conscious and was taken to St George Hospital for treatment. 

It is understood a rescuer also required medical treatment after suffering from exhaustion.

Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command are conducting inquiries and will prepare a report for the Coroner. 

More to come. 

A man in his 40s was underwater for three minutes and was unconscious when lifeguards arrived. He was taken by ambulance to St George Hospital in a critical condition

It is understood a rescuer also required medical treatment after suffering from exhaustion