An investigation into NSW Police has been launched after a man died and another was left in a serious condition after an alleged brawl.

A 31-year-old man with serious head injuries was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in northern New South Wales on Friday morning by an unknown person.

He was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital and remains in a serious condition.

Later that morning, police found the body of a 25-year-old man on a walking track near Fischer St, Goonellabah in Lismore.

It is believed both men were involved in a brawl at Clifford Park in the suburb that morning alongside 15 to 20 other people.

Gold Coast University Hospital, where a man is in a critical condition after allegedly being involved in a brawl that left another man dead in northern NSW.A man remains in a critical condition at Gold Coast University Hospital. (Toby Crockford)

A critical incident has been declared to analyse the response of police to the initial fight.

The investigation is being conducted by officers from the Mid North Coast Police District.

Police are looking for witnesses.