An urgent medical evacuation from Antarctica is underway after a 66-year-old woman from the Netherlands suffered a suspected stroke.
Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) are coordinating with the cruise vessel MV Ortelius who were in Antarctic waters on Monday.
The RCCNZ received a call from the Ross Sea area, the ship is now en route to the American McMurdo Station where the woman is expected to be flown out to New Zealand to receive further treatment.
"The MV Ortelius will attempt to get as close to McMurdo Station as conditions allow for the woman to be transferred," says RCCNZ Rescue Officer Chris Henshaw.
"If ice prevents the vessel reaching McMurdo she will be transported by the vessel's own helicopter and flown to McMurdo Station."
The woman is in a stable condition and is expected to be flown out on the next scheduled flight to Christchurch.
In December last year, astronaut Buzz Aldrin was evacuated from the ice after falling ill during a tourist trip down south.
Newshub.
