It is a tragic Christmas morning for the family of an ambulance officer who died trying to rescue an injured canyoner in rugged terrain on NSW's south coast.

The service has released the name of the paramedic as Mick Wilson, from the Ambulance Helicopter Retrieval Service.

He and another paramedic and a doctor were flown into rugged bushland at Carrington Falls, west of Kiama, after an emergency beacon was set off just before 5pm (AEDT) on Saturday.

The Mr Wilson was winched to the ground, and was still attached when an incident occurred and he died.

Dozens of emergency officers spent the night at the scene, and as day broke, they resumed the rescue operation.

The canyoner was winched out and flown to St George Hospital with pelvic injuries about 7am (AEDT) today.

The Mr Wilson's body is still in the canyon, as police prepare a report for the coroner.

The service has declined to release more details of the death, saying it is under investigation by police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The ambulance service says the family of the paramedic are being provided with support.

The service has offered its condolences to Mr Wilson's wife, children and family.

Mr Wilson was an elite paramedic who had been with the ambulance service for more than 15 years.