By Jo-Marie Brown
An avocado picker has severe burns after suffering an electric shock from high-voltage power lines on a Bay orchard.
The 22-year-old seasonal worker, who is understood to be from Thames, was working on the Walker Rd East orchard just south of Katikati yesterday when he raised the hydroladder -
similar to a cherry picker - he was standing on, into the lines about 1.40pm.
It is understood he lifted the ladder and it arced toward the high voltage lines and made contact - causing burns to about a fifth of his body.
Katikati St John Ambulance station manager Dick Megchelse said the man's father was picking avocados in a nearby row when he heard a loud crack and knew something was wrong.
"He rushed across and saw him slumped over the front of his machine," Mr Megchelse said.
The older man and several co-workers managed to manually lower the ladder - which had been up around 6m in the air - back down to the ground and pulled the unconscious 22-year-old free of the container.
"He wasn't breathing so they resuscitated him. He revived straight away and they then put cold water on his burns until we arrived," Mr Megchelse said.
Staff had been trained to handle the situation appropriately and safely.
The injured man suffered burns to approximately 20 per cent of his body, particularly his back, arms and neck.
He was taken by ambulance to Tauranga Hospital and almost immediately transferred by the Westpac rescue helicopter to Waikato's specialist burns unit.
"They were quite deep burns which will require quite a lot of care," Mr Megchelse said.
Tauranga St John area manager Ken Hansen said he understood the man was today in a serious condition.
The man's father accompanied him to hospital.
Occupational Safety and Health delegated manager Sue Graham confirmed yesterday that an investigation would be launched into how the accident occurred.
"This is a young guy who is seriously injured. I guess it highlights the importance of careful analysis of what you are doing. It is a known hazard in this industry."
A health and safety inspector spent several hours at the orchard yesterday trying to piece together what had happened and would continue with investigations today.
Staff have been offered counselling following the incident.
The employer did not want to comment.
Additional reporting Anna Bowden
