Researcher rescued from Antarctica

AUSTRALIA has broken new ground in the history of human interaction with Antarctica after successfully air lifting a sick American expeditioner from an iceshelf runway in minus 35 degrees and at twilight.

The patient - who has not been identified - was met by an ambulance and brought to a local hospital.The rare mid-winter rescue was timed to coincide with the brief daily period of light on the continent.The US had requested help from Australia, saying the patient required treatment beyond that available at the base.

A spokeswoman told Time magazine that the person likely did not go to the research station with the ailment. Researchers stationed at McMurdo pass a "very rigorous health-screening process".

The base's runway is one of the few in the Antarctic that remains operational for much of the year, despite the polar darkness and hostile conditions.

McMurdo reported a temperature of -31F (-35C), on early Friday, local time.