Australia Rescues Sick Researcher From Antarctica

Australia has successfully evacuated a sick Antarctic researcher from a remote outpost on the icy continent.

An urgent rescue operation was launched last week to reach the man, who has an undisclosed “developing medical condition”.

The mission required a medical retrieval team, a massive icebreaker ship and two helicopters.

The man is now en route to Tasmania, where he will receive specialist assessment and care.

In an update on Monday, the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) said the man had been flown to its icebreaker, RSV Nuyina.

The ship had travelled more than 3,000km (1,860 miles) to reach him.

Medical facilities are limited on the research station, and only about 20 people live there during winter when conditions are at their worst.

With the first stage of the rescue mission complete, the ship is expected to arrive back in the city of Hobart next week.

“The expeditioner will be looked after in the Nuyina’s specially equipped and designed medical facility by our polar medicine doctors and Royal Hobart Hospital medical staff,” said AAP’s Robb Clifton.

“Getting this expeditioner back to Tasmania for the specialist medical care required is our priority.”

Australia requires all researchers sent to Antarctica to undergo lengthy medical examinations before deployment.

BBC