American flown to New Zealand hospital in rare midwinter Antarctic rescue mission
The sun last set at the geographic South Pole on 23 March and will not rise until 21 September.
An Australian air crew rescued an American from a U.S. Antarctic research station in a rare midwinter rescue mission. The Airbus A319 Long Range aircraft, named Snowbird 1, flew from Hobart, Australia, to the U.S. McMurdo Station on July 31 following an urgent request for assistance. The jet landed at Phoenix Airfield near McMurdo in darkness with temperatures dropping to -43°C.
The American was transported to Christchurch, New Zealand, on the same day due to worsening weather conditions at the Antarctic air strip. Skytraders, the contract owner of the aircraft, stated that the patient was admitted to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition. The U.S. National Science Foundation confirmed the severity of the patient's situation.
New Zealand's Health Ministry declined to comment on the American's condition or their current status. The mission's copilot, Louise Robertson, described the flight conditions as near the aircraft's limits, with minimal light and extreme cold temperatures, including wind chill.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
