An avocado picker has severe burns after he hit high-voltage power lines on a Bay of Plenty orchard.
He was in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital yesterday.
The 22-year-old seasonal worker, who is understood to be from Thames, was working on the orchard just south of Katikati when he raised thehydroladder - similar to a cherry picker - he was standing on into the lines about 1.40pm on Wednesday.
It is understood he lifted the ladder and it fell on the high voltage lines, causing burns to about a fifth of his body, particularly his back, arms and neck.
Katikati St John Ambulance station manager Dick Megchelse said the man's father, who was picking avocados in a nearby row, heard a loud crack and knew something was wrong.
"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.
Occupational Safety and Health said an investigation would be launched into the accident.
