In a 3,500km mercy dash from Hobart, the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) has carried out an emergency medical evacuation of an expeditioner from a United States base in Antarctica.
General Manager of Antarctic Operations and Safety at AAD, Charlton Clark said the rescue mission was an exceptional effort.
“The conditions on the ground were challenging, when the Airbus landed at McMurdo station it was around minus 30 degrees Celsius with wind chill,” Mr Clark said.
“At this time of the year most Antarctic nations have already shut down operations for the winter season, so this medical evacuation was unusual,” he said.
Mr Clark said the ADD received a request from the US Antarctic Program on Friday (13 March) and within a few hours had sent a medical team from Hobart on Australia’s Antarctic Airbus A319.
He said the expeditioner was picked up from the US McMurdo station in East Antarctica and flown to Christchurch in New Zealand for treatment.
Section Head for the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics, US National Science Foundation, Stephanie Short said she was very grateful for the rapid Australian response.
“It’s great to have the support of national partners and know that we all share a deep dedication to Antarctic research programs and personnel,” Ms Short said.
Mr Clark said the evacuation was undertaken by an AAD medical team with support personnel from the Royal Hobart Hospital and Ambulance Tasmania through a partnership with the Centre for Antarctic, Remote and Maritime Medicine.
“We are really pleased to be able to assist the United States Antarctic Program as a first-responder in this emergency and it’s a real testament to the great spirit of cooperation between Antarctic nations,” he said.
