Family of four hospitalised after boat explodes in Patonga, central coast

 A family of four have been rushed to hospital after their 6.7 metre boat exploded near Patonga on the central coast.

The 35-year-old man, 34-year-old woman and their two sons, aged eight and seven, had just left the wharf when the blast occurred just before 2pm on Saturday.

The woman was airlifted to Westmead hospital in a serious condition, while her husband and two sons were transported to Westmead by road ambulance.

There has been an explosion on a boat carrying a family of four at #Patonga on the central coast. https://t.co/dKDmbCheS4

— EmergencyNSW (@EmergencyNSW) December 17, 2016

As the boat burst into the flames, the woman, who suffered serious burns to her arms, legs and torso, jumped into the water, along with her eight-year-old son, who was burned on his legs.

The man received burns to his arms and legs, while the seven-year-old escaped injury but was treated for shock.

A passing boatie came to the family's aid, helping them return to shore before paramedics arrived.

The boat had only travelled about 700m from shore when the explosion occurred.

Officers from the NSW Police Marine Area Command have been tasked with determining the cause of the explosion.

With AAP