A friend paid tribute to the farm hand in this week's Wingham Chronicle, describing him as "a very fine man" and "gifted songwriter and wordsmith".

He and his partner once operated The Wild Turkey Cafe in Elands.

It is believed 55-year-old Mr Erbacher, who had been working at the farm since July this year, was picking avocados from a cherry picker at a Stennetts Road property when he fell.

When found, he was conscious and complaining about back and pelvic pain.

Paramedics attended the scene about 4.40pm, but he went into cardiac arrest.

A SafeWork NSW spokesperson said investigations into the incident were ongoing.

"Initial inquiries indicate that the 55-year-old farm hand was picking avocadoes using an elevated work platform when he fell from the platform, which was several metres above ground," he said.

Mr Erbacher's friend wrote: "A wonderful human being went to do some manual work to earn a living and never came home, and we are all numb with grief that we have lost him".

"I can hardly recall a man I've known with more integrity, grace, patience and humility.

"Elands is reeling right now," she wrote.