Antarctica rescue mission delayed again

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An American man waiting for a New Zealand Airforce Orion to evacuate him from Antarctica will have longer to wait as weather conditions delay the rescue mission again.

Conditions on the ice, reportedly a blizzard, were holding up the evacuation which would take place as soon as weather cleared, Antarctica New Zealand communications advisor Matt Vance told NZPA.

The Orion might leave later today or tomorrow it just depended on the weather, Mr Vance said.

A plane first left for Antarctica at 6am yesterday, but returned a few hours later after receiving reports of blizzards at McMurdo Base.

The man is in a serious but stable condition but Antarctica NZ had no further information regarding his condition.

- NZPA