A kayaker dove into the water in an attempt to rescue a drowning surfer at Blackmans Bay Beach on Sunday morning.
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The rescuer managed to get the man back onto his board, and a police officer swam out to help.
The surfer was dragged onto the beach, where Ambulance Tasmania paramedics started CPR.
But the man died at the scene.
He had been surfing about 100 metres offshore when tragedy struck.
It was initially reported as a swimmer in distress, but emergency services confirmed on Sunday afternoon the victim was a Southern Tasmanian man who had been surfing that morning.
Inspector Matthew Richman said it was a tragic situation and thanked those who had attempted to save the man’s life.
“I would particularly like to recognise the selfless and brave actions of the member of the public and the police officer who entered the water to try and save the man,” he said.
The kayaker was treated in hospital for a dislocated shoulder and the officer was treated for mild hypothermia.
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