- He collapsed while picking watermelons on a farm near Ayr in Queensland
- The man was taken to hospital on Tuesday but died the following morning
- Police say it is believed he died from heatstroke but an autopsy will be done
A Belgian backpacker died after collapsing from suspected heatstroke while working on a fruit farm.
The 27-year-old was picking watermelons on a farm near Ayr in Queensland when he collapsed on Tuesday, the Townsville Bulletin reports.
He was taken to Ayr Hospital before being transferred to Townsville Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A Belgian backpacker died after collapsing from suspected heatstroke while working on a fruit farm. File photo
Detective Inspector Leonie Steyger said the man’s family have been contacted.
An autopsy will need to be performed, but authorities suspect the man died from heat stroke, she told the Bulletin.
The temperature in Ayr on Tuesday reached a high of 31.3C, according to Weatherzone.
Thousands of backpackers in Australia head to the north of Queensland to work on farms.
He was taken to Ayr Hospital (above, file photo) before being transferred to Townsville Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Wednesday morning
Fruit pickers need to be aware of the danger of the heat, Inspector Steyger said.
‘We encourage people to really take care of themselves and their mates, stay hydrated and be sun smart,’ she said.
Workers should drink up to eight litres of water a day to avoid dehydration, wear sunscreen, hats and long-sleeve shirts.