A man has died after being swept out to sea at Seadown, north of Timaru on Saturday afternoon.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Emergency services rescued a child in the water after being called to the beach at 4.30pm.
Ambulance staff treated the child.
A helicopter had to be deployed in the search for the man, who had been swept out to sea, due to rough conditions.
However, police said the man had already died when he was found a short time later.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.