Medic team going to Antarctica to rescue American

Flags of the original 12 signatory nations of the Antarctic Treaty fly next to a bust of Adm. Richard Byrd at McMurdo Station Oct. 21, 2005, in Antartica. / National Science Foundation via Getty images

(AP) SYDNEY - An Australian rescue team is heading to Antarctica to evacuate an American expeditioner experiencing a medical emergency.

The Australian Antarctic Division said Wednesday it is sending a specialist medical team to the U.S. McMurdo research station in Antarctica.

The team will first stop in Christchurch, New Zealand, and wait until weather and light conditions on the frozen continent allow them to land safely. It is winter in Antarctica, and flights are usually only made during the summer.

The Australian agency said they could not provide any more details on the nature of the emergency and directed all queries to the U.S. National Science Foundation. The foundation runs the research station and is coordinating the rescue. Officials there did not immediately return messages seeking comment.