At Minus 40 Degrees: The Incredible Rescue from Antarctica
An American citizen was rescued last week in a daring medical evacuation from Antarctica, in near-total darkness and temperatures of about 40 degrees below zero. An Australian team from Skytraders carried out the evacuation from McMurdo Station, and the patient was flown to New Zealand. The company said he is recovering well.
An American citizen was rescued last week in a daring medical evacuation from Antarctica, in conditions of near-total darkness and temperatures of about 40 degrees Celsius below zero, according to CNN. The evacuation was carried out by an Australian aviation team from Skytraders, a company specializing in flights to the frozen continent. On July 28, the company received an urgent request for assistance from the American research station McMurdo. The team's departure was delayed due to severe weather, and only three days later the team arrived at the station after a five-hour flight, landing in near-total darkness and a temperature of minus 43 degrees. The patient was flown to Christchurch, New Zealand, where he received medical treatment. The company refused to provide details about his identity or medical condition but noted that he is recovering well. Captain Al Wallach, who led the flight, said the conditions were at the edge of the aircraft's capabilities. Co-pilot Louise Robertson described the mission preparations, including scenarios of power failure on the runway and carrying extra fuel in case of a need to return to Australia. Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, with no permanent residents except scientists and staff at research stations.