Buzz Aldrin evacuated to New Zealand from Antarctica, fluid on lungs

Buzz is in Christchurch Hospital where he is being treated for fluid on his lungs after a midnight mercy dash from the icy continent. Photo: Twitter/Christina Korp

The second man to walk on the moon has been evacuated from Antarctica to New Zealand suffering respiratory problems.

Buzz Aldrin is in Christchurch Hospital where he is being treated for fluid on his lungs after a midnight mercy dash from the icy continent.

His manager Christina Korp, who travelled alongside the stricken former astronaut, described the ordeal as a "gruelling 24 hours" but said Aldrin was now recovering well in New Zealand.

She posted pictures of him giving the thumbs up inside an ambulance and smiling from his hospital bed.

Aldrin was part of a tourist group with luxury adventure tour company White Desert.

After a grueling 24 hours we're safe in New Zealand. Here's the press release about how @TheRealBuzz is doing. https://t.co/neSc2MSaA7 pic.twitter.com/ompWjrbws7

— Christina Korp (@Xtina_Korp) December 1, 2016

The company said this morning Aldrin was responding well to treatment and was in good spirits.

"He currently has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and being kept overnight for observation. His condition is stable and his manager, who is currently with him, described him being in good spirits."

The 86-year-old tourist arrived in Christchurch overnight after his health suddenly deteriorated, said the spokesman for the American polar programme.

NSF spokesman Peter West said a Safair cargo plane making the mercy dash to New Zealand touched down at Christchurch International Airport about 4:25am and he was transferred to Christchurch Hospital.

Aldrin was at the Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole when he fell ill.

Two doctors, one from the US Antarctic Programme, decided it was best to evacuate him off the ice.

He was first flown to McMurdo Station and then scheduled on the first available flight for Christchurch.

Before leaving for Antartica Aldrin posted pictures of himself and tour companions from a South African airport excited about the coming journey to the end of the earth.

We're ready to go to Antarctica! May be our last opportunity to tweet for a few days! We're go for departure to the launchpad! pic.twitter.com/vFvsu6OQhb

— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) November 29, 2016

Buzz's Polar Penguins countdown to liftoff has commenced. #Antarctica #WhiteDesert pic.twitter.com/0vDc1yP0gT

— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) November 29, 2016