A MAN who tried to rescue four young people from the surf got has gotten into trouble himself and died.

Emergency crews raced to Patonga, on the NSW Central Coast,at about 2.30pm.

Police say four young people, including children, who were visiting from Asia and staying with the man, were swimming in Patonga Creek when they were taken out by the tide into seas off Patonga Creek.

The man, aged in his 60s, tried to rescue them before he also got into trouble.

Onlookers came to their aid using a boat and pulled all five from the water before racing them to the shore.

Members of the public performed CPR on the man until police and paramedics arrived but he died at the scene.

A full investigation is under way into the circumstances surrounding the incident.