Cape Town | Thursday
THE South African Navy icebreaker Outeniqua was racing Wednesday to remote Marion Island, 1_100km southeast of Cape Town, to aid two seriously ill members of a weather service expedition, officials said.
The icebreaker, expected to arrive late Friday or early Saturday, has a fully equipped hospital on board, complete with operating theatre.
One of the stricken weathermen is believed to be suffering from a bleeding stomach ulcer, the other from heart problems, the department of environmental affairs said.
Both men, who had been wintering over on the island under the South African National Antarctic Programme, are likely to be brought back to Cape Town for treatment, the department said.
The Outeniqua set sail Wednesday from Durban, on South Africa’s southeast coast.
“A team from 22 Squadron of the South African Air Force … has accompanied the voyage to render air support with one Oryx helicopter… A medical team from the South African Medical Health Services… is also on board,” the department said in a statement.
Also on board are replacements for the two men, due to remain on the island, one of two in the Prince Edward group, until May next year. – AFP