The married couple both lost their lives after running into trouble in the surf.

05:07, Wed, Mar 11, 2026 Updated: 05:08, Wed, Mar 11, 2026

Beach NSW australia

Two British tourists have died at an Australian beach on Wednesday (March 11) (Image: Getty)

A married British couple have died after tragically drowning off the coast of Australia while on holiday Down Under to visit family.

The pair, both tourists aged in their 60s, were enjoying a paddle in the water at about 11am local time, when horror struck.

Australian paramedics and police raced to the scene at Shellharbour Beach at Shell Cove, located on New South Wales' south coast on Wednesday, March 11.

Emergency services received a number of calls to [Australian emergency services number] triple zero to raise the alarm that two swimmers has been seen struggling in the water.

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A 66-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman were pulled to the shore by beachgoers, with off-duty nurses reportedly performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

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

According to the force family members of the couple were at the scene.

NSW Police have commended the work of two off duty female nurses and a young male in helping the couple.

A spokesperson for the force said: "This is a tragic incident and our heart goes out to the family."

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A report will be prepared for the coroner.