Australian Expeditioner Evacuated From Antarctica in 5 Days
Australia, China and the US have collaborated on a mission to medically evacuate an Australian expeditioner from Antarctica.
The operation took five days, used ships, helicopters and planes, and canvassed thousands of kilometres of the icy continent.
Australian Antarctic Division Director Kim Ellis described it as one of the most complex and challenging medical evacuations his team has undertaken in recent years.
The unwell Australian was at Davis research station in east Antarctica when the operation began.
By chance, a Chinese icebreaker was travelling to a nearby Chinese research station.
Its helicopters were sent to Casey to transport a number of Australians from Davis to a site 40km inland to build a ski-way so a US aircraft could land.
Australian Antarctic Division
A team of Australian Antarctic expeditioners will soon start to prepare an ice runway for a medevac at Davis research station.
Later today, weather permitting, a team of five including a field-training officer and plant operators will be flown by helicopter from Davis station to a ski landing area, on the ice plateau behind station.
Australian and Chinese flags flying at Davis research station Photo: AAD
Australian Antarctic Division Director, Kim Ellis, said helicopters from the nearby Chinese ship the MV Xue Long 2 will be used in the operation.
“This is the first step in a multi-stage medevac involving the Australian, United States and Chinese Antarctic Programs,” Mr Ellis said.
Australian Antarctic Division
An Australian expeditioner is being evacuated from Davis research station in Antarctica due to a medical condition.
The medevac will be an international effort, involving the Australian, United States and Chinese Antarctic Programs.
Map of Antarctic showing medevac operation options Photo: AAD
Australian Antarctic Division Director, Kim Ellis, said operations are underway to evacuate the patient using a logistical network of ships, helicopters and planes covering thousands of kilometres of the Antarctic continent.
“The Chinese icebreaker MV Xue Long 2 is on its way to the Chinese station and will stop at Davis, so we can use the ship’s helicopters to help transfer the patient to a ski-way inland of the station,” Mr Ellis said.
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