SIX children and three adults have been rescued from the ocean by passing jet-ski riders off NSW’s central coast, police say.

The party of nine were in a motorboat about 400 metres south of Lobster Beach at Box Head on Friday when, about 2pm (AEDT), their boat was swamped by waves.

The boat stalled, took on water and eventually capsized, throwing all nine – including six children aged between seven and 12 – into the ocean.

They were rescued by a passing boat and two jet-ski riders, and taken to Lobster Beach.

One of the adults, a 48-year-old man, suffered breathing difficulties and had to be airlifted by rescue helicopter to Gosford Hospital.

No other passengers were injured.

Article at The Australia