Man dies after falling from Central Coast cliff with mother at his side

A man has died after falling off rocks at a waterfall on the NSW Central Coast with his mother by his side "in the arms" of a stranger.

The 23-year-old fell about 10 metres from a rock ledge at Somersby Falls in the Brisbane Water National Park near Gosford on Sunday afternoon, police said.

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One witness wrote on a Facebook community group how they felt "helpless" comforting the man's mother who was with her son when he died.

"This afternoon I saw a young man lose his life, I then held his mother as she cried and all I felt throughout this entire thing was helpless," they wrote.

"My heart and all my thoughts go out to this boy's family. Words cannot express how terrifying it is to see someone, especially so young, have that happen to them."

Fairfax reported another witness who said the man "died in the arms" of her male companion.

Fire and Rescue and a Westpac Rescue helicopter were dispatched but the man died at the scene.

Somersby Falls in the Brisbane Waters National Park. Source: NSW National Parks

"Upon arriving at the scene, police and ambulance paramedics attended to the man, however he was pronounced dead at the scene," police said.

The Somersby Falls is a popular tourist and picnic spot but the NSW National Parks website warns the "walk is steep and slippery in places, so keep an eye on the kids as they walk along the track".

A report is being prepared for the coroner but the death is not said to be suspicious.

Distraught family members were seen consoling each other in the car park, about a 500 metre walk from the falls.

News break – February 7