Another three men have drowned in New South Wales, only hours after the body of a teenage boy was recovered from the surf at Maroubra Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

A 27-year-old man died on Friday afternoon while swimming with friends at the Mermaid Pools in Tahmoor, south-west of Sydney.

The Pakistani national was unconscious when he was pulled from the lake about 12.30pm and died at the scene.

About 2pm a 46-year-old man was pulled from the water at Kolora Lake Reserve at Yamba, on the north coast of NSW.

CPR was administered, police said, but he died at the scene.

And police have recovered the body of a swimmer in Wagga Wagga, two days after 42-year-old Peter Abd-El-Kaddous went missing while swimming with a family member in the Murrumbidgee River.

Search to resume for Peter 'Pace' Abd-El-Kaddous, 42, who went missing while swimming at Wagga Wagga https://t.co/y4MDBqmu9I pic.twitter.com/t05WReWl2R

— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) December 29, 2016

The latest deaths bring the total number of drownings in New South Wales over the Christmas period to 13.

There was a 14th death when an elderly man suffered a medical episode in the water at Lady Robinsons Beach, Brighton-Le-Sands, on Friday afternoon.

Police began the day searching for 14-year-old Tu’ipulotu ”Tui” Gallaher, who disappeared in the water after a night time swim on Tuesday.

Tui Gallagher, 14, was on a day trip to Maroubra with family.

At 7.15am they were called to the southern end of the beach, following reports a member of the public had found the body.

The teenager’s family has been notified.

“Very sad news,” Surf Life Saving NSW wrote on social media.

“Surf Lifesavers send their condolences to the Gallaher family.”

“Don’t worry he’s resting is God’s arms right now. Love you, Aunty,” Katrina Fonuku Tamano Gallaher posted on Facebook.

“Truly sorry to hear of your tragedy but he is resting in God’s arms now at peace and the love people have for such a beautiful gentle young man will shine brightly,” Billie Jean said.

“Prayers of strength for you and your family during this time. Our deepest condolences,” wrote Lauri Laporga.

Emergency crews had been called to Maroubra beach just after 8:30pm on Tuesday after reports two teenagers — Tu’ipulotu and his cousin — were in trouble in the water.

Tu’ipulotu’s cousin was pulled from the surf by a 26-year-old passer-by.

A relative has set up a Go Fund Me page to help the family with any costs associated with the accident. As of Friday afternoon it had raised almost $5000.

WATER DEATHS IN NSW SINCE CHRISTMAS DAY:

DECEMBER 30:
* A body, believed to belong to a 42-year-old man who went missing while swimming on Wednesday, discovered at Wagga Wagga
* A 46-year-old man dies in suspected drowning while swimming at Yamba on NSW north coast
* A body, believed to be 14-year-old boy missing for three days, found at Sydney’s Maroubra beach
* A Pakistani man, 27, dies after being pulled from waterhole at Mermaid Pools in Sydney’s south
*An elderly man, believed to be in his 70s, dies after being pulled from Lady Robinsons Beach in Sydney’s south.
DECEMBER 29:
* A two-year-old boy dies in hospital one week after he and twin sister were pulled unconscious from a backyard swimming pool. His sister earlier died.
* The body of a man, believed to be aged between 65 and 75, discovered at Byron Bay on state’s north coast
DECEMBER 27:
* A man’s body found in swimming baths at The Entrance on NSW Central Coast after he suffered suspected heart attack
* A 25-year-old man’s body recovered from the water at Greendale in western Sydney after he went missing while swimming with friends on Boxing Day
DECEMBER 26:
* Geoffrey Blackadder, 60, died trying to rescue young relatives from rip at Wooli Beach on the NSW north coast
* A man, 56, drowns at Merry Beach at Kioloa on NSW south coast
* A 27-year-old man dies at Kangaroo Valley in NSW Shoalhaven region during a Boxing Day swim at a picnic ground
DECEMBER 25:
* A 27-year-old man died in the Wattamolla lagoon at Royal National Park, south of Sydney

– with AAP