Daring midwinter rescue in Antarctica
Listen to the story
Antarctica is the coldest and most isolated place on Earth. In the middle of winter, the sun never rises, and temperatures fall far below zero. For this reason, almost no planes fly there between March and September.
This week, an Australian aviation crew completed a daring rescue in Antarctica. A person at McMurdo Station, a large research base, became seriously ill and needed medical care that was not available there.
The crew flew for many hours over the frozen continent. When they arrived, they had to land the plane in total darkness, with no daylight at all. The temperature on the ground was −43°C. In such extreme cold, machines can freeze and mistakes can be deadly.
The team successfully picked up the patient and took off again. The patient was evacuated to receive proper medical treatment.
Experts say midwinter rescues in Antarctica are extremely rare because the conditions are so dangerous. Aviation specialists have praised the crew for their skill and courage. Stories like this show how people in Antarctica depend on each other, even across countries.
Vocabulary10 words
- Isolated
- far away from other places; alone; difficult to reach
- Aviation crew
- the team of people who fly and operate a plane
- Daring
- very brave; taking big risks
- Seriously ill
- very sick; in a dangerous condition
- Medical care
- help from doctors and nurses
- Extreme
- very great; much more than normal
- Evacuate
- to move someone away from a dangerous place
- Conditions
- the situation around you, like weather and light
- Praise
- to say that someone did something very well 👏
- Courage
- being brave when something is difficult or scary
Quiz
Answer key
1. A person there was seriously ill and needed care not available at the base. 2. There is no daylight and the extreme cold makes flying very dangerous. 3. The crew picked up the patient and took off again safely.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Antarctica is the coldest and most _____ place on Earth. In the middle of winter, the sun never _____, and temperatures fall far below zero.
This week, an Australian aviation crew completed a _____ rescue in Antarctica. A person at McMurdo Station became seriously _____ and needed medical _____ that was not available there.
When they arrived, they had to land the plane in total _____, with no daylight at all. The _____ on the ground was −43°C.
The team successfully picked up the _____ and took off again. Experts say midwinter rescues in Antarctica are extremely _____ because the conditions are so dangerous. Aviation specialists have praised the crew for their skill and _____.
Discussion questions
- Would you accept a job in a place as isolated as Antarctica? Why or why not?
- The crew risked their own lives to save one person. When is it right to take such risks?
- What qualities does a person need to do this kind of work?
- Have you ever experienced extreme weather? What was it like?
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