There were desperate attempts by other divers and paramedics, at the scene, to resuscitate the man, from Mornington, Victoria but they were unsuccessful.

The man’s young nephew, who was part of the extended family on holiday together, was praised for his role in the rescue attempt to save his uncle, by acting sergeant John Ziino, of Eden Water Police.

Sergeant Ziino said that the man was diving with his young nephew when tragedy struck. NSW Ambulance service said it was believed the man may have suffered a heart attack.

Sergeant Ziino said: “The young boy brought his uncle to the surface and then brought him to the shore. He did a very good job; he did extremely well in bringing him back to shore.”

Other divers assisted in giving CPR to the man as soon as he was pulled out of the water and emergency services rushed to the scene. Rescue services were called to assist in getting the man from the rocks onto the roadway above next to the Wharf Restaurant and Aquarium.

As the trolley was led along a narrow walkway at the side of the restaurant paramedics continued to give CPR before he was taken to Pambula hospital but sadly the man was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead on arrival at Pambula hospital.

Anthony Daly, who manages the Wharf and Aquarium, had arrived at the scene just as the ambulance was preparing to leave. He said the man’s family had been at the wharf.

‘‘He looked like he was in a pretty bad way from what everyone was saying, they kept working on him for quite a while here,’’ Mr Daly said.

‘‘Where we are here at the wharf, it’s ideal for diving, calm waters... it’s just one of those terrible things.’’ he said.

Experienced Sydney-based scuba diver Michael McFadyen has dived the site at least half a dozen times, and said it was ‘‘one of the easiest’’ spots in the area.