Friends and family members of Central Coast man Barry Walsh have reacted with shock and disbelief followin his death in a New Year's Eve fireworks accident.
"Please someone tell me it's a New Year's Eve prank and I can have a good laugh and say good one," one of Mr Walsh's friends, Tom, said.
"If not then I don't know how many more tears will flow."
Mr Walsh, 52, known to his friends as "Baz", was on Budgewoi Beach celebrating the start of the new year with his wife, Jo, and a group of friends when he tried to light a firework just before 3am on Sunday.
The firework exploded in his face, causing severe head injuries.
"This gentleman actually had this firework for some time, potentially up to 10 years, and had discussed with his friends on the evening that it was time to light it to try it out," Chief Inspector Cole Lott, from Tuggerah Lakes police, said.
Shocked friends performed CPR on Mr Walsh until paramedics and police arrived, but he could not be saved.
His wife was about 30 metres away at the time and saw the accident occur.
"I'm sure all his friends were shocked by what had taken place," Chief Inspector Lott said.
"His wife was hysterical at the time and she subsequently was transported to Wyong Hospital and sedated."
Mr Walsh, the father of two adult daughters, was a keen surfer and rugby league player with the Central Coast Bulldogs, which paid tribute to him on the club's Facebook page.
"The Central Coast Bulldogs wish to pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Baz Walsh," the post said.
"Baz was a member of our team for a number of years and made some great friendships with a number of past and present players. Friendships formed not from just our team but others within rugby league circles. Baz will be greatly miss by many, gone to soon. RIP Baz."
Another friend, Kate, wrote online: "Rest easy baz, you will forever be remembered by your cheeky and friendly personality."
In a separate accident on the same night, Ceejay Lapington, 19, suffered serious eye injuries after a firework exploded in his face at Blue Haven on the Central Coast.
He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where doctors were trying to save his sight. He was in a stable condition and will undergo vision tests in coming days.
In Victoria, a 46-year-old man also died near a beach in Hollands Landing in Gippsland after a firework blew up in his face about 9.35pm on New Year's Eve.
He is understood to have gone to a clearing near the beach with family and friends to let off fireworks when the tragedy occurred.
Police were told that two fireworks were successfully ignited, but the third caused the fatal accident.
