FLIGHT FROM MAWSON

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29715, 8 January 1962, Page 10

FLIGHT FROM MAWSON

Sick Mechanic On Way Home

After being flown nearly 5000 miles from the Mawson Australian Antarctic base, Mr Alan Newman, a 40-year-old diesel mechanic, of Sydney, who collapsed there from a cerebral hemorrhage several weeks ago, should arrive at Christchurch Airport this morning. The Russian Ilyushin-18 aircraft, which flew from Moscow to the Russian Antarctic base at Mirny by way of Christchurch and the American McMurdo Sound stations at Christmas, removed Mr Newman from Mawson last week. He had already had two emergency operations, and was near the end of the 15-month term he was spending at Mawson. The Australians’ medical officer. Dr. R. Pardoe, flew with Mr Newman on the 800-mile trip to Mirny and again on the 1560-mile flight from there to McMurdo Sound, There he transferred Mr Newman from the Russian plane to the United States Navy sick bay and into the care of the two doctors there. Lieutenant J. Webster and Lieutenant C. Hartford.

Dr. Pardoe will accompany Mr Newman to Christchurch where arrangements will be made for his return to Sydney.

The Ilyushin 18 is waiting at McMurdo for the weather to clear at Mirny before returning there. A United States Navy Hercules left for Christchurch about 10.30 p.m. yesterday. The arrangements involving Australian, Russian and American Antarctic forces have been co-ordinated by the United States Antarctic commander, Rear-Admiral D. M. Tyree.