Evacuation succeeds sick tourist pole

christchurch - Wednesday is a 66-year-old Dutch woman who became seriously ill flown on a pole cruise in Antarctica, to the hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is now being examined and treated.

She was part of a group of over a hundred tourists pole, making a 30-day tour of southern Argentina through protected Ross Sea to New Zealand with the Dutch specialist Oceanwide Expeditions. They pay between 15 and 30. 000.

' This passenger was on the road suddenly unwell. On our icebreakers we always have a ship's doctor on board, but could do little. We have established procedures for these kinds of emergencies. That's why we're right down the end of the Coast Guard, 'says director Mark van der Hulst at De Telegraaf.

The woman, who likely suffered a stroke, with its own helicopter cruise ship in critical condition at a US research station 100km put away. From which place they transferred Wednesday with emergency medical assistance to Christchurch. Her family has been informed.

The risks of polar expeditions, which are becoming increasingly popular, are increasing because mostly older tourists with lots of money may be tempted to soak in the 'middle of nowhere' to sail around for kicks. ' The dangers are that, because the security is very important to us. It is adventurous and we are in deserted areas. Everyone realizes aboard. Incidentally, it is not just older people who go, 'Van der Hulst.