Man dies and toddler critical after being pulled from water

A man has died and a toddler is in a critical condition after they were pulled from the water on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Emergency services were called to Fishermans Reach, north of South West Rocks, about 10:15am today after receiving reports of a man and boy struggling in the water.

Members of the public helped rescue the pair from the water and started CPR.

Both were then treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but the man was unable to be revived and died at the scene.

Police say he is believed to be aged in his late 20s. 

The boy has been flown to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.