A man has died after being swept out to sea at Seadown, north of Timaru this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the beach at 4.30pm.

A police spokeswoman ”due to the treacherous sea conditions, a helicopter was required to search for the man who had been swept out to sea.”

”Tragically he was already deceased when he was located a short time later.”

A police spokeswoman said upon arrival, emergency services located a young child in the water.

The child was brought to shore, where they were treated by Ambulance staff.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman earlier said the child was in a moderate condition and taken to Timaru Hospital.

The man’s death will be referred to the Coroner.