Indonesian kiwifruit worker injured in fall, say police

An Indonesian man left at a hospital with serious head injuries was hurt in an accidental fall.

Police say the man, who is in an induced coma at Auckland Hospital's intensive care unit, was working on a Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchard when he suddenly collapsed from a "suspected medical condition" and fell on to a concrete floor.

Four fellow Indonesian workers then rushed the man to Tauranga Hospital, but left before explaining how the blow to the head was received.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner of Tauranga said no charges would be laid over the incident.

It would be up to immigration and hospital authorities to repatriate the man to Indonesia when he was fit to travel, Mr Turner said.

Police said some of the workers had been worried about their immigration status, and it was possible they were working in New Zealand illegally.

Their identity was a mystery until yesterday, when police finally caught up with them.

An Indonesian Government official helped an otherwise painstaking police search by flying from Wellington to Tauranga to help with language and communication difficulties.

The embassy staffer, second secretary Ali Mohamad Sungkar, yesterday said he was happy to co-operate with the New Zealand authorities after being contacted by both the police and the Indonesian workers about the incident.

The four men had approached the embassy asking for guidance, and were advised to help the local police.

Initially it was more convenient and comfortable for them to speak to someone from their own country and culture, Mr Sungkar said.

"They are more scared about this because the [injured] person did not have a legal permit. They're afraid because they might be seen as protecting someone who does not have a work permit."

It is understood the injured man's relatives have been contacted. He is described as being in a critical but stable condition.