A New South Wales man is fortunate to be alive after his boat exploded into flames on Lake Macquarie final evening.
The 64-year-old had been on the boat at Fennell Bay, south of Newcastle, when the boat burst into flames, sending plumes of smoke into the sky.
Throughout the hearth, the person managed to dive from the boat into the water.
A neighbour rushed to his help, pulling him from the lake and offering first help to his burns.
A helicopter was referred to as to the scene.
The 64-year-old was transported to John Hunter Hospital in an ambulance earlier than being flown to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.
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He stays in a critical however steady situation with burns to 40 per cent of his physique.
"(It is) unbelievable that he was capable of stroll away from that incident," intensive care paramedic Jake Broughton-Rouse mentioned.
"The bystanders did an incredible job. They commenced first help instantly and that actually helped stop his burns from getting worse.
"Then we offered some superior ache aid to verify he was snug en path to the hospital."
Firefighters labored into the evening to place out the flames.
"There have been a variety of calls initially to a big hearth," Peter Nies from NSW Fireplace and Rescue mentioned.
"After they discovered it was a ship that they had loads of sources. A few stations attended plus the hazmat and the RFS (Rural Fireplace Service)."
He mentioned emergency groups labored to stop the destroyed boat's diesel from spilling into the lake.
Locals mentioned the explosion was felt on close by streets.
It's not but clear what began the hearth.