Harrowing moment paddleboarder collides with boat propeller on the Gold Coast

A keen paddleboarder is lucky to be alive after colliding with a boat on the Gold Coast, leaving him with horrific injuries and requiring surgery.

A man is lucky to be alive after a run-in with a boat propeller on the Gold Coast, leaving him with horrific injuries and undergoing surgery.

Onno Van Es, 54, was paddleboarding at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast on Sunday when the horror incident unfolded.

Footage of the incident shows the moment the boat and paddleboard hit; the propellers piercing Van Es’ abdomen and legs and leaving him with deep cuts and gruesome injuries.

While riding the waves, his paddleboard collided with a boat, the propellers piercing his abdomen and legs and leaving him with horrific injuries. Picture: 9NEWS

Emergency services were called to the scene, and the man was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital and underwent surgery.

“It’s disastrous for all parties, including my husband,” wife Marnie Keating-Van Es told 9News.

His family told reporters they were fortunate so many bystanders came to his assistance.

“He’s lucky so many people were there,” Ms Keating-Van Es said.

The 54-year-old was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital. Picture: 9 NEWS

He has undergone surgery and is expected to recover. Picture: 9 NEWS

While the family are confident he will recover from his injuries, daughter Stevie suggested more could be done to prevent further incidents from occurring.

“You’d never think (that) a boat and a swimmer allowed in the same channel, but it seems that is the case,” she said, suggesting the beach implement a “time limit or curfew” to limit exposure to boats and people in the water.

Newswire has contacted the Gold Coast Waterways Authority for comment.