Man in Gold Coast University Hospital after being struck by boat propeller at Palm Beach

A surfer is recovering in hospital after he was hit by a boat at a popular surf beach on the Gold Coast.

The 54-year-old man was paddling out in the surf at Palm Beach near tower 13 when he was struck by the propeller of a small fibreglass fishing boat about shortly before 6am on Sunday.

It’s understood the boatie helped the man into his boat and took him to shore.

Queensland Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene and treated the man for “potentially life-threatening leg and abdominal injuries”.

The man was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital for further treatment in a stable condition.

Currumbin surf instructor Patrick O’Leary told 7News it was important people kept an eye out for others when in the water.

“There are a lot of water users here, everybody has to be responsible, keep an eye out and slow down,” he said.