Three Americans evacuated from Antarctica after medical emergency at research station
The U.S. National Science Foundation requested the evacuation after three staff members at McMurdo Station were unable to receive adequate medical treatment on-site.
One of the individuals required urgent care, while the other two also needed medical attention and were transported as a precaution, according to New Zealand's air force.
Air Commodore Andy Scott, head of New Zealand's air component, said mid-winter flights to Antarctica are among the most difficult missions due to shifting weather, extreme cold and ice landings in total darkness.
"The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state," Scott said. "The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing.
"Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on Night Vision Goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge," he added. "This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly."
A medical team, including a physician, accompanied the crew to provide in-flight care during the return to Christchurch.
The aircraft was pre-positioned from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday, with a crew on standby for a weather window.
The crew made the decision on Tuesday to fly to Antarctica, working through the night to complete the mission.
After landing on the ice runway, the aircraft's engines remained running to prevent freezing during refueling, the air force said.
The round-trip mission lasted 19.5 hours, with the aircraft touching down in Christchurch on Wednesday morning.
Temperatures at McMurdo Station dropped to -11°F during the operation, adding to the already dangerous conditions.
Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to New Zealand, praised the operation as "flawless."
"We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class," she said.
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Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Three Americans evacuated from Antarctica after medical emergency at research station
New Zealand's air force carried out a nearly 20-hour medical evacuation to rescue three Americans from Antarctica, calling it a high-risk mission conducted in freezing temperatures and total darkness. The U.S. National Science Foundation requested the evacuation after three staff members at McMurdo Station were unable to receive adequate medical treatment on-site. One of the individuals required urgent care, while the other two also needed medical attention and were transported as a precaution, according to New Zealand's air force. Air Commodore Andy Scott, head of New Zealand's air component, said mid-winter flights to Antarctica are among the most difficult missions due to shifting weather, extreme cold and ice landings in total darkness. "The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state," Scott said. "The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing. "Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on Night Vision Goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge," he added. "This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly." A medical team, including a physician, accompanied the crew to provide in-flight care during the return to Christchurch. The aircraft was pre-positioned from Auckland to Christchurch on Sunday, with a crew on standby for a weather window. The crew made the decision on Tuesday to fly to Antarctica, working through the night to complete the mission. After landing on the ice runway, the aircraft's engines remained running to prevent freezing during refueling, the air force said. The round-trip mission lasted 19.5 hours, with the aircraft touching down in Christchurch on Wednesday morning. Temperatures at McMurdo Station dropped to -11°F during the operation, adding to the already dangerous conditions. Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to New Zealand, praised the operation as "flawless." "We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class," she said.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
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SILVERSEA UNVEILS NEW IMMERSIVE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES AT THE CORMORANT AT 55 SOUTH AHEAD OF ITS JANUARY 2026 OPENING
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Here, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy guided kayaking during their stay, exploring these unique waterways that were once charted by legendary explorers. HIKING IN REMOTE TIERRA DEL FUEGOPuerto Williams is known for its remarkable location in the Fuegian Archipelago, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Dientes de Navarino mountain range and Cape Horn. It is part of the subpolar climate region, characterized by its pristine wilderness, fjords, and unique biodiversity. The Martial Mountains are home to various animals, including guanacos, foxes, and condors, which guests can witness from a distance. Available nearby hikes include various trails along Parque Municipal Ukika and that pass through Magellanic subpolar forest. ENHANCED GUEST JOURNEY MAKES TRAVEL EASIER Beginning in the 2025-2026 Antarctica season, getting to Antarctica on a Silversea Expedition will be easier than ever. 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With its experience in the region, Silversea now offers the most enriching and personalized adventures on the continent, with an industry-leading expedition team that comprises up to 28 experts in their field, knowledgeable kayak instructors, world-class onboard lectures, and some of the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratios in the industry, among other enriching features. Silversea Expedition experts host guided walks ashore, identifying wildlife species, unique glacial and geological structures, and other fascinating features only found on an Antarctic expedition. Back on board, the team's insightful lectures provide an overview of the day's sightings and experiences. LEARN MORE IN THE LATEST EPISODE OF STORIES BY SILVERSEA In the latest episode of Stories by Silversea, the brand's leaders and project partners share more about the beauty of Puerto Williams and give deeper insight into the project. See the progress of The Cormorant at 55 South and learn more about what guests can expect upon its completion: Stories by Silversea: A Legacy in the Making: Part 2 For more information on Silversea's Antarctica Fly Cruise offerings or The Cormorant at 55 South, please visit Antarctica Fly Cruise and The Cormorant at 55 South Digital Press Kit. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, expectations on timing, design, and demand for the development of The Cormorant at 55 South, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "will," "scheduled," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as our other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at or the SEC's website at Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Silversea Silversea is the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, offering guests immersive experiences on all seven continents, personalized service, and an innovative culinary offering aboard its 12 intimate ocean and expedition ships. Silversea's itineraries encompass an unparalleled range of destinations worldwide, from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the Galápagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating places in between. Set to strengthen its destination leadership in January 2026, the brand is developing the southernmost hotel on Earth, The Cormorant at 55 South℠, in Puerto Williams, Chile – offering guests a uniquely seamless journey to Antarctica. 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NBC News
19 hours ago
- NBC News
New Zealand evacuates three from U.S. Antarctic base in high risk winter rescue
SYDNEY — New Zealand's air force said on Wednesday it had evacuated three people from a United States research base in Antarctica, in what it said was a high-risk operation in freezing temperatures and perpetual darkness. One person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were taken on the rescue flight from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) said in a statement. The aircraft landed in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday morning. The statement gave no details of the medical emergency or nationalities. Andy Scott, a New Zealand Air Commodore, said the extreme cold and landing on a runway of ice in the dark make mid-winter flights to Antarctica one of the most challenging air crews can perform. '(It is) an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge,' he said. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, hampering the 20 hour mission that took place in the complete darkness of the Antarctic winter. The U.S. Chargé d'Affaires for New Zealand Melissa Sweeney said the evacuation had been carried out 'flawlessly'. 'We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class,' she said.
