Aussie man dies in wheelie bin high jinks

A young man riding in a wheelie bin during some early morning high jinks with mates has died after being speared into a tree in New South Wales.

The 22-year-old suffered head injuries after deciding to ride down a hill in the bin with a mate at Umina Beach, on the state's central coast, about 5am (NZT) on Sunday, police say.

He was unable to be revived after being flung from the bin into a tree.

His 19-year-old friend is still being treated in Gosford Hospital for broken ribs and internal injuries.

Both men, from Umina, were with a group of friends who were suddenly forced to treat their mates' injuries until help arrived.

The pair had followed a solo bin rider who had safely completed the ride.

- AAP