Swept out to sea at unpatrolled beach

The swimmers were caught in a rip. Photo / Thinkstock

A woman has died after being swept out to sea with six other swimmers at an unpatrolled beach off Victoria's Great Ocean Road.

Four children were among the swimmers who were caught in a rip at Urquhart Bluff between Anglesea and Aireys Inlet yesterday.

The 36-year-old woman went into cardiac arrest before being plucked from the sea by a helicopter about 200m from the beach.

She was airlifted to Geelong Hospital but died a short time later.

Six other people suffered minor injuries and shock.