The man, who been water skiing with friends, was swimming in the dam when he was struck by the propeller of a boat.

The man heard a boat approaching him and with little time to swim out of its road, he attempted to duck-dive underneath it.

However, the boat's propeller struck him, causing serious lacerations to his buttock and leg.

The Ambulance Service of NSW was called to the scene at 8.10am, where the man was stabilised before being air-lifted by the CHC helicopter to Westmead Hospital in western Sydney.

The man underwent surgery on Saturday and was reported to be in a satisfactory condition, with his family by his side, by hospital staff yesterday.

Park manager critical of phone access

Wyangala State Recreation Area manager Gary Barton has hit out at the lack of phone access available to holiday makers at Wyangala Dam following Saturday’s boating accident.

Mr Barton said there is now only one public phone in the park after Telstra removed the park’s second phone last year.

At the time park residents and management were critical of the move.

Mr Barton said the one remaining phone was out of order when Saturday’s accident occurred.

“Basically its been out of order most of January,” Mr Barton said.

“They went to use the phone to ring 000 and it wouldn't work.

“They then had to travel to the Service Station about 500 metres away to call for an ambulance

“Because it happened so early the office at dam wasn't open. They could have rung the buzzer for myself or someone else to attend but in such a situation you want immediate help.

“Fortunately the Service Station was open.

“We expressed our concerns to Telstra when they first proposed to remove the other phone,” he said.

At the time Telstra said they had not received any notification that the phones were not operating properly.

Another public phone is located in Wyangala village.