Tragedy as man is killed after being crushed by a massive fish that launched itself onto his boat in freak accident

• Northern Territory man died in 'freak incident' while fishing with family, friends
• He died after a fish launched itself into his boat, and struck him in the chest
• The 56-year-old was rushed to Cullen Bay, where he received CPR but died
• Emergency services say man was breathing at the time of call for help on Friday

A fisherman has died in a 'freak incident' after a fish launched itself into his boat and hit him in the chest.

The 56-year-old, from the Northern Territory, was fishing with family and friends on the Darwin Harbour at Cullen Bay when tragedy struck about 4.30pm on Friday.

The group proceeded to make its way to Cullen Bay with the man still breathing, where they met up with police and paramedics who administered CPR.

Despite their efforts, the man tragically passed away at the scene. 

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The 56-year-old man was fishing with family and friends on the Darwin Harbour at Cullen Bay (pictured) when tragedy struck about 4.30pm on Friday

'This appears to be a freak incident which is hugely distressing for the people in the boat and other family and friends of the man,' NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services said in a statement on Saturday.

'Police ask that their privacy be respected and as such will not be providing further comment.' 

Details are yet to be released on the exact cause of the man's death. 

A spokesperson for St Johns Ambulance service confirmed the man was still breathing when the call for help came through.

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The group proceeded to make its way to Cullen Bay with the man still breathing after being hit in the chest by the fish (not pictured), where they met up with police and paramedics who administered CPR

'The patient then experienced difficulty in breathing and then the request was upgraded and CPR started while he was on the boat being brought back to Darwin,' the spokesperson told NT News.

'We continued trying CPR when the boat arrived at Cullen Bay. The resuscitation was started on the boat and our crew continued to try to revive the man when he was removed to the dock. 

'A very sad event when a day of fishing ends this way.'