SIX Chinese students were hurt when they fell from a picking platform on a Richmond apricot farm early yesterday morning.
The University of Tasmania students were thrown more than two metres to the ground from the toppling platform as the tractor went around a corner on Pegasus Orchards at 8am.
The students were treated for shock before being taken to the Richmond Medical Centre for further treatment.
The normally quiet waiting room was packed with the students, a farm worker and five other patients. One student had an X-ray for a sore rib, and five were released with no injuries. The pickers were given the rest of the day off.
Orchard manager David Cowle said the platform overbalanced as the tractor turned a corner.
The students were taken to the medical centre as a precaution, Mr Cowle said.
"We followed all the protocols and looked after their health," he said.
No Chinese student was willing to comment.
UTAS director of international services Paul Rigby said support services were available for any international student in need.
"Students are provided with the university's security office number and they are emailed regular reminders about this," Mr Rigby said.
Support services include counselling, providing transport for the students concerned, notifying friends and making phone calls on their behalf, he said.
The majority of the 30 pickers employed on the farm are Chinese and Pegasus Orchards director Phil Alexander said the firm took every effort to look after staff.
Workplace Standards has been notified of the accident. Pegasus grows 350 tonnes of apricots and picking will continue for three weeks.
crawleyj@news.net.au
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