‘You adapt and you move on’: Newcastle man who lost arm in keg explosion thanks community for its support

A Newcastle man who lost his left arm when a beer keg exploded has said he is keen to move on from the incident.

Jye Parker, 23, was helping a work colleague at the Bar Beach Bowling Club on October 10 when the keg exploded in the venue’s cellar.

Mr Parker said he had little recollection of the explosion.

In addition to losing his left arm, he also suffered significant injuries during the blast.

“At first, it was quite a shock. It’s still so surreal,” he said.

“I’m a bit down at what’s actually happened, but I’ve got to look at it as ‘I’m still here, I can still enjoy life’.

“You really do surprise yourself when something like this happens to you.

“The human spirit’s there. You adapt and you move on.”

Mr Parker was released from Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital yesterday and today thanked the community for its support.

“It’s just been amazing how supportive Newcastle has been, especially from the hospitality industry,” he said.

“Those messages and support got me through at first, it kept me so positive.”

Mr Parker still has enough muscle in his left shoulder to support a prosthetic replacement.

“I’m looking forward to having another arm again,” he said.

A community benefit raising money for My Parker’s ongoing treatment will be held in Newcastle next Friday.