A seasonal farmworker has died just days after being struck by lightning on a Northern Territory farm.
Three workers – aged between 30 and 34 – had been picking mangoes on a farm at Berry Springs last Tuesday when lightning struck a nearby tree.
Preliminary investigations by NT Worksafe indicated the group had been working off the back of a trailer being towed by a tractor when the incident occurred.
“It appears the lightning has arced from the tree towards the trailer injuring the three workers,” NT WorkSafe said in a statement.
All three men were injured in the lightning strike, however, just one was admitted to intensive care at Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.
It’s understood all three workers are foreign nationals who entered Australia as part of the seasonal worker program.
“Enquires are still ongoing to determine an appropriate regulatory response and we are unable to provide any further information,” a spokesperson said.
In a statement on Sunday, NT Police confirmed a 34-year-old man had died on Saturday night as a result of injuries suffered during the “workplace accident”.
“NT Worksafe has been notified and is conducting inquiries,” police said.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Source: 7News
