CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Members of the New Zealand air force are traveling to Antarctica to rescue a sick American, an air force official said.
New Zealand Air Force Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki offered sketchy information about the man's situation, except to say he was sick, not injured, CNN reported Tuesday.
A rescue team took off Monday from Christchurch for the U.S. research base at McMurdo Station, but was forced to turn back after about an hour because of weather, officials said..
Snow meant the 15-person team -- including three medics -- couldn't "see anything," Tamariki said. Snow also was reported on the runway at McMurdo, he said.
The second flight touched down safely in Antarctica Tuesday, despite temperatures of 35 below zero Celsius (-31 Fahrenheit), he said.
"She's landed, and we're just waiting for confirmation that they've taken off," Tamariki said.
The plane was expected back in Christchurch Tuesday night.
Duties of the man being rescued at the scientific research facility were unclear, CNN said.
