Gary Tuchman: Hardest part of rescue now behind sick Antarctic doctor

Gary Tuchman

Q: When did the plane leave the Amundsen-Scott Station with the ailing doctor in Antarctica, and what had to be done in order to accommodate the weather conditions there?

Tuchman: The plane left the U.S. South Pole Station at 12:47 pm ET, Wednesday. The small aircraft, equipped with skis for landings and take offs, had to wait for a break in the weather before it left. It was flown by a Canadian company that specializes in polar flights. Those guys know what they are doing, but it is the first time a rescue at the South Pole has been attempted during the polar winter season which we're in now.

Q: Where is Dr. Shemenski now and what is the next part of his journey?

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Tuchman: Dr. Shemenski flew from the U.S. station to the Rothera British station, which is on the edge of Antarctica closest to South America. From there he flies to Punta Arenas, Chile which is the major city closes to the South Pole. His scheduled arrival time here in Chile is 4:30 ET.

Q: Are there any difficulties or challenges that are anticipated for this next flight?

Tuchman: The hardest part of the rescue is now behind them, but you still have the unusual weather conditions that could occur anywhere in the Antarctic area. But there's no denying the fact that the most difficult portion of this is now over.

Q: What is the doctor's condition? Is he doing well with the travel?

Tuchman: The doctor had a gall bladder attack earlier this month which led to a diagnosis of pancreatitis, which is potentially life threatening if not treated. He's now in good condition and expected to stay in good condition once he gets proper treatment, but the proper treatment is not going to be available at the South Pole and that's why he had to be evacuated.

He's scheduled to arrive in Punta Arenas, ChileThursday and depart Saturday morning to go home to Denver via Santiago, Chile and Miami. He's actually going to fly commercially and he is expected to enter a hospital in Denver as early as this weekend for his medical treatment.

Q: Who's paying for this rescue?

Tuchman: The doctor works for a company contracted by the U.S. government which leads to the question: Are taxpayers footing the bill for this rescue? And the answer, according to his company, Ratheon Polar Services, is no. This doctor has a good insurance policy that is covering the cost of this mission.

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

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