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2001 - Doctor Evacuated from the South Pole
last update: Dec 31, 2005 11:23 PM
South Pole Station doctor evacuated.
On 25 April 2001 The South Pole Doctor (Dr. Ron Shemenski) was evacuated from the South Pole. The 59 year old doctor suffered a gall bladder attack and was diagnosed with the potentially life threatening condition known as "pancreatitis".
The rescue was carried out by two Twin Otter aircraft from the Candian company, Kenn Borek Air Ltd. The planes flew from Canada, down the Americas to Rothera on the Antarctic Peninsula. Once at Rothera, one plane flew to the South Pole base, Amundsen-Scott to retrieve the doctor. The route back took them via Rothera and then on to Punta Arenas, Chile.
The doctor then took a commercial flight to Denver USA for medical treatment, and then home. This was the first time that a rescue of this nature was performed during the winter months.
