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Plane evacuates sick US man from Antarctica
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By:
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ytwlgs
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Musical
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09/14/2010 18:50:36
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None
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A New Zealand air force plane made a rare wintertime landing on an ice runway in Antarctica on a mercy mission Tuesday to evacuate an American worker in serious medical condition, officials said. christian louboutin
Blizzard conditions eased to allow the Orion aircraft with three medical staff aboard to land at the U.S. McMurdo Station science base on the north Antarctic coast before refueling and returning on a seven-hour flight back to Christchurch in New Zealand. christian louboutin pumps
An initial rescue bid on Sunday was forced to turn back because of blizzards. Temperatures at the base have been about minus 32 degrees Fahrenheit (-35 Celsius) in recent days. christian louboutin black
Air force spokesman Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki said the plane landed at around midday Tuesday (0000 GMT Tuesday) during a brief period of daylight and clear weather, and spent about an hour and a half on the ground before taking off with the patient. christian louboutin sandals
"It's going fine so far," Tamariki told The Associated Press. He said the patient was stable and would be admitted to hospital in Christchurch after the plane arrived around 9 p.m. Tuesday (0900 GMT). coach bags
The man's identity, exact condition and occupation have not been disclosed. He works for U.S. company Raytheon which provides support services — such as supplies, transportation, accommodation — for the U.S. National Science Foundation at McMurdo. coach pureses
"The medical advice is to get him out of there as soon as possible for hospital care," Raytheon Polar Services New Zealand operations manager, Kerry Chuck, told AP. coach handbags
The U.S. has more than 500 staff that spend the bleak winter — from October through March — at McMurdo each year. Flights are usually only made during the summer months, when most scientists are ferried in and out of the station. Icebreaker ships are used to bring in fuel. cheap handbags outlets
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