Mooloolaba Spit beach: Anzac Day horror as man is left fighting for life after being pulled from the water unconscious at a popular beach on the Sunshine Coast

A man is fighting for his life after he was pulled from the water unconscious and unable to breathe at Mooloolaba Spit beach on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to the Mooloolaba Esplanade about 3.50pm, the Queensland Ambulance Service said.

The man was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a critical condition about 4.30pm Courier mail reported.

Aaron Purchase from Surf Life Saving Queensland said three people were in the water outside the marked area when rescuers spotted them.

“They got them out of the water,” he said. “It just emphasizes that the flags are the safest place on the beach to swim.”

A man is fighting for his life after being pulled from the water unconscious and unable to breathe at Mooloolaba Spit beach (pictured) on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday

Lifeguards patrolling the Mooloolaba Spit assisted rescuers before paramedics arrived.

Mr Purchase said rescuers who helped the man would receive support.

“We have a peer support process and we find that it meets the needs of most people,” he said.

Thousands of people attended an Anzac Day morning service on the beach on Thursday morning.