Man rescued after two hours in NSW dam

A man stuck inside an excavator which rolled into a dam on the NSW north coast had his head above water for two hours before a neighbour heard his cries for help and rescuers came to his aid.

The Rural Fire Service was forced to pump out water from the dam so the driver could be released after the machine fell into the water in a property at Charlotte Bay on Tuesday.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter air crewman Graham Nickisson told AAP the man had been crying out for help for two hours before a woman heard him and alerted emergency services.

The driver, aged in his mid-40s, has been taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with minor injuries and possible hypothermia.