SOUTH POLE, ANTARCTICA – It's a mission so dangerous, it has only been performed twice in 60 years. Rescuers are attempting an emergency medical extraction from the south pole, during Antarctica's coldest season.
A researcher at the National Science Foundation's South Pole station is so sick, he needs to be flown out for proper medical attention and treatment. The only way to reach him involves flying a plane into the region, which is already a daunting task due to the erratic and harsh weather. But the timing makes it even worse -- even though it's summer in Michigan, it's the middle of winter in Antarctica. That means it's even colder, lower visibility, and more unpredictable weather patterns than any other time of the year.
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Attempting a South Pole rescue expedition during the winter season has been proving difficult for pilots. Planes were flown from Canada to South America, to retrieve the scientist and bring him back. But they have not been able to reach him so far, and have been waiting for the right opportunity to rescue him.