One person is in a critical condition after a group of swimmers were caught in a rip and swept out to sea in Sydney’s northern beaches.

Just before 5pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to North Curl Curl in response to reports that eight people had gone into the water, with five of them struggling to get out.

Two people, a male and a female, were able to make their way onto rocks, according to NSW Ambulance, which was part of the multi-agency search and rescue operation.

“The female sustained some minor injuries but these two patients were not taken to hospital,” NSW Ambulance said in a statement.

“Two other males in their 20s were picked up in a raft by Surf Life Savers. 

“They were treated for fatigue, hypothermia and exhaustion and taken to Northern Beaches Hospital in a stable condition.”

The fifth person, another male, was in a critical condition and taken to the same hospital after being winched from the ocean by the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter. 

Aerial vision from the scene showed the man lying at a nearby park as a medical team, including paramedics, performed CPR. He is also aged in his 20s.

NSW Police said they have spoken to their families and everyone involved in the incident has been accounted for.