By 3 News online staff
Prime Minister John Key has been cleared to fly to Antarctica this morning, despite fainting in a Christchurch restaurant last night.
Mr Key was taken to hospital in a police car after he collapsed when he got up at the end of his meal at Tutto Bene Italian restaurant at Merivale.
He was assessed by three specialists for two-and-a-half hours before being discharged.
Antarctica New Zealand has carried out its own risk assessment and is satisfied that the Prime Minister can travel this morning.
He was originally supposed to leave yesterday evening on board a United States Air Force Hercules, but the flight was delayed due to fog.
During the four-day scientific tour of Antartica he will stay at Scott Base and visit a number of research projects.
3 News
source: newshub archive
