A 44-year-old American man, evacuated yesterday from Antarctica on a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Orion, is being discharged from Christchurch Hospital today.
The man was suffering from pneumonia and would recuperate in Christchurch for some time, a Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman said this afternoon.
She said he was doing well.
The man did not want his name released publicly.
He was rescued yesterday from McMurdo Sound after the Orion made a rare wintertime landing on an icy runway. The temperature was around minus 35degC.
US authorities made the evacuation request on Friday and a plane first left for Antarctica on Saturday, but returned hours later after receiving reports of blizzards at McMurdo Station.
An attempt on Sunday was also put off because of strong winds.
It is understood the man works for US company Raytheon which provides support services - such as supplies, transportation, accommodation - for the US National Science Foundation at McMurdo Station.
- NZPA
Patient cleared after Antarctic dash
McMurdo Station,Antarctica. Photo / Mark Mitchell
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