Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Australian aircraft has made a rare mid-winter emergency flight to Antarctica involving landing on an ice runway to evacuate a member of a US government expedition in apparent need of urgent surgery, US authorities said yesterday.
The US National Science Foundation said the medical evacuation was due to end a little after 2am today when a A319 Airbus from Australia's Antarctic research programme was due to land with the American patient in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Airbus had already completed the most perilous part of its journey when it touched down on an ice runway or landing strip known as Pegasus near McMurdo Station, one of three year-round research outposts the National Science Foundation runs in Antarctica.
Flights to Antarctica are usually only made in the summer, but the NSF said the patient - an American member of one of its projects - "may require immediate corrective surgery."
Antarctica is currently emerging from its six-month-long night. There is now a period of twilight at midday that may have assisted pilots in landing on the ice runway.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments