Gary Tuchman: Antarctic rescue mission on track if weather holds

Gary Tuchman

Q: What route is the rescue mission taking?

TUCHMAN: The plane will fly from the U.S. South Pole station right in the middle of Antarctica to the Rothera station on the tip of Antarctica and then to in Punta Arenas, Chile, which is the southern most major city in the world and the closest major city to Antarctica. We anticipate that tonight the plane with the doctor will land at the British Rothera station on the tip of Antarctica. And by tomorrow he will arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile. The doctor will then be taken back to the United States for treatment. That is how the schedule looks right now, but weather could change all of that.

Q: How risky is the rescue, and what back-up plans are planned if things were to go wrong?

VIDEO CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on the rescue of the American physician from the South Pole research station Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition     ALSO A risky mercy mission to the bottom of the world Second Antarctic rescue mission on track

TUCHMAN: It is considered very risky. The polar winter in the Southern Hemisphere stretches from February to October. Usually, there are no planes flying to the South Pole during those months. But this doctor is in such a vulnerable position it was felt they should try to get a plane there immediately, especially before May where it gets to the coldest point the South Pole reaches.

There are two planes being used. One is on stand by at Great Britain’s Rothera station. The other one went right to the heart of Antarctica to the U.S. Amundsen-Scott South Pole station. If there is a problem with that plane they have the backup plane.

Q: This is the beginning of the Antarctic winter. Is the Amundsen-Scott Pole Station physically cut off from the outside during winter months?

TUCHMAN: The weather is so severe between February and October that it is very rare for a plane to land there. It's not that it is officially cut off, but in the months of May, June, July, August and September it is virtually impossible. Now, it is merely impossible. But it has been successfully done with a great risk to the rescuers. And hopefully all will go well as they leave to get the doctor to Chile.

Q: Why do so many medical personnel and researchers work in the center of the Antarctic where the risks to human life are so great?

TUCHMAN: It’s challenging work. The scientists study astrophysics and astronomy. It’s rewarding, partly because of the risks one takes. There certainly is talk that perhaps there should be more than one doctor at a location like this in case the doctor has a problem.

Q: What is the replacement plan for Dr. Shemensky?

TUCHMAN: His replacement is Dr. Betty Carlisle who is already there. And as it is, Dr. Shemensky’s family released a press release in which they thanked rescuers for their help and also wished Dr. Carlisle a very uneventful six months.

Q: Any final thoughts?

TUCHMAN: I think it is hard to over estimate the valor of the people who fly in missions like this. The only conditions colder than this at this time of year you would find on places like Mars. These are the coldest temperatures on earth. The snow is constantly blowing. The plane was outfitted with skis because it had to land on ice. These people take great risks to do what they say is the right thing.

NZ rescue plane lands in Antarctica
April 23, 2001
Bad weather delays risky flight to South Pole
April 22, 2001

Antarctica's Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
National Science Foundation

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.