Young man loses arm after keg explosion

A young bar worker is struggling to comprehend losing part of his arm after a beer keg exploded at a NSW bowls club.

Jye Parker was releasing air from a keg in a cool room at the Bar Beach Bowling Club in Newcastle on Friday night.

It may have been a familiar task for the experienced hospitality worker but one that would leave him with horrific injuries.

The keg exploded and 23-year-old Jye was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital.

He woke up from an induced coma with his father by his hospital bedside on Saturday.

Jye's uncle Neil Parker said his nephew was coming to terms with losing the lower part of his left arm.

"The support is there but it's very hard to deal with something like this," he told AAP.

Mr Parker said Jye, who has worked in hospitality since he his teens, had also worked at the Hotel Delaney in Newcastle.

He said the family was shocked.

"He is only a young bloke, just 23," he said.

"The fact his left arm is gone ... it's going to be a long road ahead."

Witnesses have told police the explosion was quite loud and rocked the club.

Friends have flooded social media with get well messages for the popular local.

"Laying wide awake most of the night trying to work out if there was any way I could have been mistaken," Casandra Screen wrote.

"Sending so much love, support and positive thoughts your way kiddo."

In a statement on Facebook, the Bar Beach Bowls Club said its thoughts and love went out to Jye and his family.

"As well as staff and customers that experienced the event," the club wrote.

The club closed on Friday night but reopened on Saturday morning.

Workcover is investigating.