A 42-year-old man who was swimming at a Hobart beach when he was stung by a stingray has died, despite attempts by paramedics to resuscitate him.

Tasmania Police confirmed the man was stung on the abdomen while swimming at Lauderdale, about 13 kilometres east of Hobart, earlier this afternoon.

“Attempts to resuscitate the male were unsuccessful. In the immediate period prior to his death the male had been bathing in the waters a short distance from the shore,” police said in a statement.

“He was removed from the water by friends prior to the arrival of emergency services.

“It was reported he was unaccompanied in the water at the time of sustaining a puncture wound to his lower abdomen.”

The body of a man killed by a stingray is removed from Roches Beach. Photo: ABC News/Phoebe Hosier

Police said investigations were continuing, but said the injury was “possibly inflicted by a marine animal” and added: “At this time the death is not considered suspicious.”

They ruled out that the incident was “shark-related”.

A witness told the ABC she could see a “number of paramedics” performing CPR on a man at Roches Beach, Lauderdale, just after 3pm.

Other witnesses at the scene were too distraught to speak publicly.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the council would consider closing the beach if advised.

“It’s a dreadful accident, I’m actually shocked,” he said.

“My prayers go out to the family and friends of the man.

“I’m not aware of any other stingray attacks on the beach there but we will be taking advice from the experts and from Tasmania Police in terms of public safety.”

A number of stingray species are found in Tasmanian waters, with the waters around Lauderdale known to be frequented by the animals.

Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to contact them by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through the Crime Stoppers website.

Emergency services said they were called to Seven Mile Beach at Gerroa around 1pm following reports of the attack.

It is believed a 24-year-old Sydney man was participating in a surfing lesson when he was attacked.

NSW Ambulance Duty Operations Manager Inspector Jordan Emery said the man was in water up to his waist at the time.

“He felt quite a significant force and lashing against his legs,” Mr Emery said.

Bystanders then noticed deep lacerations to the man’s right leg and helped him from the water before applying a tourniquet and pressure.

“They are serious lacerations,” Mr Emery said.

“It’s very fortunate that bystanders on scene were capable of providing first aid.”

The victim, who also suffered a small laceration to his hand, was flown to Sydney’s St George Hospital in a stable condition.”I should stress that at no time was a shark sighted,” Mr Emery said.

“But certainly based on the circumstances around the incident and the injuries that have been sustained, it would appear that this is a shark attack.”

NSW Police said the beach was closed after “reports of a shark attack” while they liaised with Surf Life Saving and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

-ABC