NT seasonal worker from Timor-Leste Germenino De Deus killed by lightning

A new bride and mother lost her husband and baby only a week apart following a horrific farming tragedy at Berry Springs.

UPDATE WED: A NEW bride and mother has lost her husband and baby only a week apart following a horrific farming tragedy at Berry Springs.

Germenino De Deus was never able to meet his one-week-old child, who died a week before he was struck by lightening while working at a mango farm.

The Timor-Leste father and husband was taken off his life support on Saturday, five days after the horrific farming tragedy.

His loved ones told the Darwin Timor-Leste consulate that they were newly married, and their baby had died only a week before the lightning strike.

A consular official confirmed on Wednesday that the coroner’s investigation had concluded Mr De Deus’s death was due to the lightning strike on Monday, November 23.

Mr De Deus was working from the back of a trailer towed by a tractor on the TMP Farms mango farm when it was struck by a bolt.

The 34-year-old was thrown from the vehicle. Fellow Timor-Leste citizens Filomeno de Deus and Joanico Piedade were also injured in the strike.

Mr De Deus was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital, but brain scans found he was no longer functioning and was unable to speak or eat.

His family were able to say their final farewells in a video call, but Mr De Deus never regained consciousness.

A consular official said Mr De Deus’s body would be released to the funeral home, after his family completed the final paperwork.

She said then Mr De Dues could make the 680km trip back to Dili to his loved ones.

The consulate previously said they would be working to ensure Ms De Dues and his family would be able to access his Australian Workers Compensation entitlements.

NT WorkSafe said the seasonal worker would be protected by the Return to Work legislation, which was a no fault workers’ rehabilitation and compensation scheme.

“The scheme is classified as privately underwritten, as approved insurers and self-insurers carry all the financial risks, meet the costs associated with workers compensation claims and make all liability decisions,” a spokesman said.

“Claims for workers who suffer a workplace injury or death can be lodged with either the employer of the injured or deceased worker, or the approved insurer who carries the liability on behalf of the employer.”

He reminded businesses to remain storm safe following the seasonal worker’s death.

WorkSafe NT said six workers had been injured by lightning strikes in the past five years.

EARLIER UPDATE: NT WorkSafe has issued an important safety alert reminding businesses and workers of the risks of lightning strikes following the tragic death of a seasonal worker last week.

The safety alert follows the deaths of seasonal worker Germenino De Deus, from Timor-Leste, who was struck while working at a Berry Springs mango farm.

It urges all Top End businesses to take immediate steps to make sure they appropriately train and supervise their outdoor workers, while providing systems, to keep them safe.

Suggested steps include monitoring weather forecasts, checking in with workers, having an established set of actions to follow and avoiding bodies of water or metal objects in the event of a storm.

The inherent dangers of lightning strike are well known,” an NT WorkSafe spokesman said.

“The Safety Alert also reminds workers of the perils of lightning strike, and encourages them to follow their employer’s directions.”

“This information is especially relevant to Top End businesses who employ outdoor workers due to the frequency of thunderstorms between November and April during the build-up each year.

“The safety alert outlines procedures employers should implement to manage the risk of lightning strikes, as well as actions workers should undertake if they are unable to shelter during a thunderstorm.”

UPDATED: THE BODY of a seasonal worker who left his home to provide his family a better life will be returned to Timor-Leste.

Germenino De Deus, 34, died after being struck by lightning while working at a Berry Springs mango farm on Monday.

The Timor-Leste father and husband was taken off his life support on Saturday, five days after the horrific farming tragedy.

NT WorkSafe confirmed it was investigating the death of the 34-year-old seasonal worker following incident, in which two other workers were injured.

“Preliminary findings indicate three workers were working from the back of a trailer being towed by a tractor on a mango farm when lightning struck a nearby tree,” the safety watchdog said.

“It appears the lightning has arced from the tree towards the trailer injuring the three workers.”

A St John Ambulance NT spokeswoman earlier said bystanders kept the 34-year-old man’s heart going by performing CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Timor-Leste father and husband Germenino De Deus, 34, died after being struck by lightning while working at a Berry Springs mango farm on Monday, November 22. Picture: Facebook

He was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

A 31-year-old and another 30-year-old man were also treated for injuries.

Darwin’s Consul-General of Timor-Leste Celio Moniz confirmed all three men, Mr De Deus, Filomeno de Deus and Joanico Piedade, were Timorese seasonal workers on TMP Farms.

“(They) were together in a farm vehicle when Germenino De Deus was struck by lightning and thrown from the vehicle causing fatal injuries,” Mr Moniz said.

Another consul official, Ronaldo Francisco Do Rosario said the 34-year-old was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital, but brain scans found he was no longer functioning and was unable to speak or eat.

Mr Do Rosario said Mr De Deus’s family, including his wife and children still in Timor-Leste, used a video call to say their final goodbyes to him.

Mr De Deus never regained consciousness.

In the presence of members of the Consulate General of Timor Leste and members of the Catholic Church his life support was switched off and he passed about 15 minutes later just after lunchtime on Saturday.

A community mass for the 34-year-old man was held on Sunday, coincidentally on his nation’s Independence Day holiday.

The Bishop of Darwin presided over the emotional affair attended by many of his friends and fellow citizens, including the two lightning strike survivors.

Mr Do Rosario said while the men had physically recovered they were “traumatised” by the incident.

Mr Moniz said the matter was still with the coroner.

“The Consulate General of Darwin is co-ordinating with NT WorkSafe and the employer to organise the repatriation of Germenino De Deus back to Timor-Leste and that his family receive their Australian Workers Compensation entitlements,” Mr Moniz said.

It is understood Mr De Deus was on a bridging visa at the time of his death.

NT WorkSafe said inquires were still ongoing to determine an appropriate regulatory response and officers were talking to surviving two workers.

UPDATED: A seasonal farm worker struck by lightning while picking mangoes in Berry Springs last week has died.

The man and two workmates, all from Timor, were working on Tuesday when a bolt hit the ground near them.

NT Police said on Sunday a 34-year-old man died as a ­result of “injuries suffered in a workplace incident in Berry Springs on Tuesday”.

“NT WorkSafe have been notified and are conducting inquiries, along with NT Police who will prepare a report for the coroner,” police said.

A farm worker, who was struck by lightning while picking mangoes in Berry Springs last week, has died. (File picture)

In a separate statement, NT WorkSafe said preliminary findings indicated three workers were working from the back of a trailer being towed by a tractor on a mango farm when lightning struck a nearby tree.

It appears the strike arced from the tree towards the ­trailer, injuring the three ­workers.

NT WorkSafe said the workers were foreign nationals who entered Australia as part of the seasonal worker ­program.

“NT WorkSafe’s inquiries are still ongoing to determine an appropriate regulatory ­response and we are unable to provide any further information,” the statement said.

“Once NT WorkSafe has sufficient information and clarity on the incident, an incident notification or safety alert will be published if required.”

The other two men were ­released from hospital after two days of treatment.

WorkSafe said they were aged 30 and 31.

The lightning strike came only two weeks after an Alice Springs woman and her son were struck by lightning at their home.

Chloe and Bradley Erlich were taken to hospital after lightning struck concrete nearby, leaving

EARLIER: A farm worker, who was struck by lightning while picking mangoes in Berry Springs last week, has died.

The man and two workmates were working on Tuesday when a bolt hit the ground near them.

The NT News understands the three men were picking mangoes.

The three men were injured in the lightning strike, with one of them rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

In a statement, NT Police said a 34-year-old man died as a result of “injuries suffered in a workplace incident in Berry Springs on Tuesday”.

“NT WorkSafe have been notified and are conducting inquiries, along with NT Police who will prepare a report for the corner.”

The other two men were released from hospital after two days of treatment.

It comes only two weeks after an Alice Springs woman and her son were struck by lightning at their home.

Chloe Erlich and her son Bradley were taken to hospital after the concrete at the front of their house was struck and they were both shocked, leaving them with minor injuries.

Originally published as NT seasonal worker from Timor-Leste Germenino De Deus killed by lightning