Australian team pulls off 'extraordinary' midwinter rescue in Antarctica

Australian aviation company Skytraders has evacuated a US expeditioner from Antarctica in freezing conditions after an "urgent request for assistance". It is extremely rare and risky for planes to land in Antarctica at the height of winter. What's next? Details about the patient's condition and the reason for their evacuation have not been disclosed. An Australian team has pulled off a rare and daring midwinter aero-medical evacuation of a United States expeditioner in Antarctica. Australian aviation company Skytraders said it mobilised its Airbus A319 after an "urgent request for assistance" late last month. After an initial attempt was delayed due to severe weather, Skytraders said it was able to depart Hobart on July 31 at 2:44am. It landed at US-operated McMurdo Station 5.5 hours later in complete darkness and freezing temperatures. "Operating in extremely challenging conditions and temperatures as low as -43 degrees Celsius, the crew safely transferred the patient before departing Antarctica ahead of deteriorating conditions," Skytraders said in a statement. The plane, known as Snowbird 1, then flew later that day to Christchurch in New Zealand, where the patient was treated. Details about their condition and the circumstances that led to their medical evacuation have not been disclosed. Winter flights 'significantly' more complex The pilot, Captain Al Wallach, said the mission proved successful because of years of preparation, specialist training and coordination between flight crews, meteorologists, operational planners, runway teams and medical personnel. "Every Antarctic mission demands absolute precision, but winter operations raise the complexity significantly," Captain Wallach said. "The conditions we encountered were right on the edge of even the most specialised aircraft capability." He said his team's focus throughout the mission was on the safety of the patient and crew. "Our thoughts remain with the patient, and we wish them a full recovery," he said. Wilkins Aerodrome typically stops being used in March each year due to deteriorating conditions. Skytraders described its midwinter mission as "extraordinary" and said "Australia has reinforced [itself as] a world leader in specialist Antarctic aviation". The ABC has contacted the US Antarctic Program for more details.