Former Australian surfer Chris Davidson dies after being punched outside a bar

Australian former surfer Chris Davidson dies after being punched outside a pub.

Credit: Steve Robertson/World Surf League/Getty Images

(CNN) --

Former Australian surfer Chris Davidson has died at the age of 45 after being punched outside a bar in Australia.

Police said they were called to a bar on Saturday night in South West Rocks, New South Wales, after reports of a man allegedly having been punched in the face outside the premises.

According to police, the man had fallen to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

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When officers arrived, they found the 45-year-old man unconscious.

The man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he died shortly after.

Australian former surfer Chris Davidson dies after being punched outside a pub.

Credit: Steve Robertson/World Surf League/Getty Images

Specialist officers were dispatched to the crime scene and shortly after, a 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with the death.

The man was charged with assault resulting in death and was denied bail to appear in Port Macquarie Bail Court on Sunday.

Surfing Australia said in a statement that both the association and the surfing community are mourning the loss of Davidson.

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"Surfing Australia and the surfing community are mourning the loss of former WSL Championship Tour surfer Chris Davidson who passed away at Kempsey Hospital on Saturday night," it said on Facebook.

"Davo was an incredibly talented surfer and a true partner in our sport and community. Our thoughts are with his two sons, friends and family at this time."

Davidson speaks to reporters after winning his round 3 of the Billabong Pro on October 13, 2009 in Mundaka, Spain.

Credit: Kelly Cestari/World Surf League/Getty Images

Eleven-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater, whom Davidson beat in two consecutive heats at Bells Beach as a 19-year-old, entered by invitation in 1996, paid tribute to Davidson on Instagram.

"I lost another trooper yesterday. #RipChrisDavo. Had a lot of good fights with this guy," Slater said on his Instagram story.

The World Surf League also paid tribute to him, saying it was "saddened" to learn of Davidson's death.

Davidson's friend and fellow surfer Nathan Hedge told Australia's Today Show that Davidson "went too soon".

"No one wins. It's just the worst," said an emotional Hedge.

"Not only was Chris taken from us, but the other person's life is shattered and ruined as well. There's nothing positive to come out of this. It's the worst thing in the world. It has to stop. It's not enough. It has to end."

Hedge continued: "I will miss hanging out with our daughters. They took him away too soon."

"He had so much more life to give, enjoy and cherish. I will miss his laugh. I will miss his jokes and his passion. He was always up for anything and I will miss his hugs."

"His motto was 'Make it mean something. It's our time.'

He had that passion in the water and also in other areas of his life."

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