A British couple has died after drowning at a popular beach on the New South Wales (NSW) coast in Australia.

Emergency services were called to Shellharbour Beach shortly after 11am on Wednesday after reports that two people were struggling in the water.

Members of the public helped pull a 66-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman from the water and tried to give them CPR, according to the New South Wales police force.

NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived a short time later and continued CPR, but the man and woman couldn’t be revived and died at the scene.

NSW police confirmed the man and woman were a British couple on holiday in the area with their family.

“They were a married couple who were swimming in the ocean,” said Inspector Luke Geradts in a press conference. “I can confirm the couple were from the UK.”

“This is a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family who lost their loved ones today.”

He went on to commend the efforts of the bystanders, including two off-duty nurses: “They’re young people who are upstanding members of our community who did a great job today in trying to give this couple the best chance.”

Witness Tracey Lee told ABC that she saw the people being pulled from the water.

“The police were here, the emergency services were here and then we heard the helicopter was on the way.”

Inspector Geradts recommended that people swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, adding that it would give them the best chance if they got into trouble.

“If you do get into trouble, you’re going to give yourself the best chance.”

The force is preparing a report for the coroner. The Independent has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.